"It cost me relationships, mental health and it's still costing me" - Rai Benjamin pens emotional note on his impressive 2024 season

American Olympic champion Rai Benjamin recently reflected on his 2024 season and discussed the sacrifices he made throughout the year to produce top performances. Benjamin clinched a gold medal at this year's Olympics in Paris.

Benjamin upgraded his 400m hurdles silver from the Tokyo Olympics into gold this year when he went up against a formidable lineup that included the world record holder and defending champion Karsten Warholm and the reigning world champion Alison dos Santos, among others. The American hurdling star reigned supreme at the Stade de France on August 10 and matched his own world-leading time to secure victory in 46.46 seconds. Warholm finished second with 47.06 seconds, while Dos Santos took home the bronze in 47.26 seconds. He also won a gold in the 4x400m relay, where the American team clocked a new Olympic record.

Just before his performance at the Paris Olympics, the USC Trojans icon had clocked his season best of 46.46 seconds at the US Olympic Trials in June. Following that, he triumphed in round nine of the Diamond League in Monaco held in July, where he defeated Warholm and Dos Santos.

After wrapping up his tremendous 2024 season, Rai Benjamin reflected on his season and penned down his thoughts in an Instagram post. He expressed satisfaction with his performance throughout the season but acknowledged that it came at a cost to certain aspects of his personal life.

"At what cost? As I sit here reflecting upon this year, the question of “at what cost?”plays on an endless loop in my head. It’s easy to rejoice in what this year was/ is, and I wanted it to go my way desperately and it did but it cost me. It cost me relationships, time with family, my mental health," Benjamin captioned.

"And it’s still costing me. I made mistakes, I burned bridges, I made selfish decisions just to get to this point and it cost me, and still is to this very day. I’m proud of who I am, I want to be better, I want to continue being happy and fast which will happen. Cream always rises to the top and I rose, but it cost me and unfortunately that’s what it takes. To everyone who has been in my corner thank you."

"I hope I can continue to make you proud in addition to myself. And maybe one day it wouldn’t cost a thing. Love. Rai B," he added.

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"It has eluded me for so long, this color medal" - Rai Benjamin on his Paris Olympics performance

Rai Benjamin at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Source: Getty)

After winning the first major gold medal of his career, Rai Benjamin shared that he had been manifesting the achievement for a long time and was glad when it finally came true at the Paris event.

"It has eluded me for so long, this color medal,” Benjamin said. “To get it done here, in this fashion, at the Olympic Games in front of my friends and family, it just means so much to me." (as quoted by Yahoo Sports)

However, Rai Benjamin also noted that after landing awkwardly upon clearing the seventh hurdle, he tripped and was primarily focused on avoiding a fall at that moment.