For as long as I can remember, my life has revolved around the track. We are serious fans of Track and Field, and my parents have been coaching for more than 20 years. I played in the long jump pit with my sisters and started competing myself in 2nd grade. We looked forward to watching the Olympics and other major track meets together. That’s why my recent trip to see the Paris Olympics, specifically the Track & Field events, was so special.

We spent the first three days touring different sites around France. From Disneyland Paris to Shakespeare & Company bookstore, which is one of the oldest English bookstores in the city, to the iconic Eiffel Tower, we experienced French culture. 

On Wednesday night, we moved from our hotel in downtown Paris to our AirBNB in Saint Denis near the Stade de France, where the Track and Field (or Athletic events) would be held. In Track and Field at the Olympic Games, there are morning and evening sessions with a variety of running, throwing and jumping events to view in each session.

Walking into the stadium, with 80,000 people from all over the world, the atmosphere was incredible.

Most of the Track & Field qualifiers occurred in the beginning of the week, and the big finals were scheduled at the end of the week. We had the privilege of watching the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening sessions. My highlight was watching Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone break her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles and helping the team take gold in the 4×400 relay, which is my favorite race to run.

We also got to see Sha’carri Richardson anchor the 4×100 relay on Friday night to win the gold medal, which is another of my favorite races. Richardson is a U.S. favorite with more than 4.3 million followers on Instagram.

I discovered the gate where the athletes would exit each night. On Friday night, I got to meet Anna Cockrell at the gate, who snagged silver in the 400-meter hurdles. My sister Zayla Gilmore Young, ‘30, posed for a selfie with 100-meter hurdler and gold medalist Masai Russell. On Saturday, I also met 5,000-meter runner Graham Blanks, who gave me his race bib and his signature.

Watch replays of the Paris Olympics and the Paralympics this week on Peacock.

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Gallery • 9 Photos

Giada Gilmore Young

The women in the 400-meter finals round the last curve before the final stretch, Aug. 9.