The 2024 Paris Olympics were meant to be Michael Norman’s chance to make a comeback after his disappointing fifth-place finish in Tokyo. But his performance in the 400-meter race left sports fans scratching their heads.
Norman, who is a two-time Olympian and the reigning world champion in the 400 meters, was a top contender for gold. He had impressed in the semi-finals, qualifying with a time of 44.26 seconds, which had fans expecting great things. However, when the final race began, it quickly became clear that something was off with Norman.
Paris Olympics 2024: What happened to Michael Norman?
Despite starting the race strong, Norman struggled to keep up with the other runners. By the time they reached the finish line, it was clear that something had gone wrong. Norman, the world champion, finished dead last, and his time was a shocking two seconds slower than the other runners. In a sport where even a fraction of a second can make a difference, this gap was extraordinary. So, what went wrong?
There isn’t a clear answer for why Norman finished so far behind, but there are a few key factors to consider. One major aspect is his mental health journey. After the Tokyo Olympics, Norman took a year off to focus on his mental well-being. While this break was important for his overall health, it affected his physical condition and competitive edge.
When he returned to training in November 2023 with his former coach, Quincy Watts, Norman admitted he was out of shape. He described his progress as taking “small, small steps in the right direction” as he tried to get back into form. However, the short time between his return and the Paris Olympics may not have been enough for him to reach his peak performance.
Another possible factor was the pressure to redeem himself at the Olympics. With so much riding on this event, the stress of meeting expectations might have affected his mental state and performance.
Norman also experimented with changes in his training before the Olympics. In 2023, he switched coaches and tried shorter sprints like the 100 meters. While these changes were meant to boost his performance, they might have disrupted his usual routine and preparation for the 400 meters.
Whatever the reasons, we hope to see Norman bounce back soon. He’s a talented young athlete with a lot of potential, and it would be great to see him get back on track.
