Who is McKenzie Long? All about the 24-year-old sprinter who lost her mother in 2024 and will compete in the 200m final at Paris Olympics

McKenzie Long has made it to the finals of the women's 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old sprinter from Ironton, Ohio clocked 22.30 seconds to qualify, along with compatriots Brittany Brown and Gabrielle 'Gabby' Thomas, one of the top contenders for an Olympic gold medal.

For the first time since the 2012 London Olympics, all the three sprinters from the USA will be competing in the finals of the women's 200m.

However, for Long, the race is not just a competition to be the best. She is also running it for her mother, who passed away this year. Reflecting on her loss, she said (via USA Today):

"She would haunt me if I stopped. That was the meet where I decided, 'OK, I'm going to continue doing this for my mom.'"

The American sprinter was referring to an athletic meet held on February 9 this year, just days after her mother passed away. However, after a talk with her coach Holland Sherrer, Long decided to run for her mother.

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McKenzie Long's early life and achievements

McKenzie Long was born on 11 July, 2000 to Tara Jones and Michael Long. She was barely nine when her parents divorced. However, Long's mother took care to ensure that her daughter's life was not affected by it. She married KC Jones in 2010 and was a mother to five children, including Long.

McKenzie Long (L) in action at the 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Track Championships [Image Source: Getty]

The 24-year-old sprinter initially took admission at the North Carolina State University before transferring to the University of Mississippi. Long shone at the NCAA Championships, her achievements including three gold medals, in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay categories. She has a personal best of 10.92 seconds in the women's 100m and 21.83 seconds in the women's 200m.

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The personal loss that shook McKenzie Long

It was in late January 2024 that McKenzie Long faced with a huge setback. She received news that her mother, who was only 45 years old, had passed away in her sleep due to a heart attack at her home outside Honolulu in Hawaii.

Long was devastated, but she somehow picked herself up, and decided to race agan, if only for her mother. In her interview with USA Today, she said:

"I talk to her day every day, every race. I'm talking to God too, 'God, hug my mom really, really tight as she watches me run across [this] track.' I [tell] my Mom, 'I want to feel you. Ease my mind. Let me go out there as confident as I can be. Allow me to be who McKenzie Long is.'"

Only months after her mother's demise, McKenzie Long proved her mettle at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships by winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay events. She also stood third at the US Olympic trials in order to make the cut for the women's 200m event at the Paris Olympics.

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When coach Holland Sherrer inspired McKenzie Long to run for her mother

Needless to say, McKenzie Long showed some real determination when she decided to race again. However, it wouldn't have been possible without the assistance of her coach, Holland Sherrer.

McKenzie Long (R) in action during the women's 200m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

It was Sherrer who raised Long's spirits and inspired her to get up and win. He knew she possessed a rare talent. He said (via USA Today):

"When these situations happen, I believe you have one of two choices - you're either going to use it to help you, or it's going to be the end of you. I told her, 'McKenzie, the normal person can go grab a tub of ice cream, sit on a couch, take a month, a week. They can quit their job. They can find something else to do. But you're special. God has laid his hands on you and blessed you with a talent that not many people on this planet have.'"

Long had a long pep talk with Sherrer before she raced again for an athletic meet on February 9. Today, she is one of the strong contenders for an Olympic podium finish, with the finals for the women's 200m set to take place tomorrow (August 7) at Stade de France in Paris.