Six London alumni received Olympic medals in Paris as Team GB became the only country to podium in all five Olympic relay finals.
Two of them just happen to share the same DNA; twin sisters Laviai and Lina Nielsen.
The games began with Laviai Nielsen (KCL) winning Bronze in the mixed 4X400. The quartet, which also included Samuel Reardon, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Nicole Yeargin were in contention throughout, finishing with a time of three minutes 8.01 seconds. They finished just behind behind champions the Netherlands and the USA.
British Records Fall
Laviai, who holds the LUCA Outdoor record in the 100m missed out on the individual 400m final but returned to the track for the women’s 4X400m. In a race that showcased the USA’s dominance, Team GB held on for Bronze against a determined Ireland squad and narrowly missed out on Silver.
The quartet of Victoria Ohuruogu, Laviai Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin and Amber Anning also set a new a British record with a time of three minutes 19.72 seconds.
“Ten years ago I had to learn how to walk again.”
Twin sister, Lina Nielsen (QMUL alumni) was part of the squad that comfortably qualified GB for that final and also returns a bronze medalist. Lina, who competes in the 400m hurdles reached the semi-final but suffered an unfortunate fall. Speaking to Eurosport, she opened up about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. “To tell you the truth, I was panicking all week because I thought being in the village and being around so many people and COVID and the food… I was scared that I might suffer another relapse.“
Lina suffered a relapse at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, and was anxious about a repeat in Paris.
She continued: “Ten years ago I had to learn how to walk again.”
In the Eurosport studio, Iwan Thomas lavished praise on Nielsen for the mental and physical resilience she had shown in making it to the semi-finals of an Olympic Games.
“She’s had to learn how to walk again so you think how proud her family must be of her and how proud she should be,” the former 400m runner said.
Laviai, who captained Team GB at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships returns a double olympic bronze medalist. Writing on her instagram she said: “There are no words to describe this feeling, it’s a lifetime achievement and I will cherish these moments for the rest of my life. Thank you to this entire team, it was a huge effort from us all and I’m forever grateful to these incredible women and the greater team behind the scenes.”
taking the baton in the second leg
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