The 400m athlete on her Tokyo disqualification, how she thrives beneath the relay strain and her hopes for a combined relay spot in Paris
Nicole Yeargin made her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2021 as all the things she had been working in direction of lastly fell into place. Representing Workforce GB within the girls’s 400m last was precisely what she had hoped for nevertheless it didn’t go to plan for the American-based Scot, regardless of ending third within the semi-finals.
Initially believing that her third place had secured her a spot within the last, she was later disqualified because of a lane infringement, dashing her hopes of competing for that Olympic medal.
It was a painful ending to what had been a profitable season for the 26-year-old. Yeargin was, and nonetheless is, third on the Scottish all-time girls’s 400m record after posting an Olympic qualifying time of fifty.96 on the NCAA Championships that 12 months.
“I used to be younger. I had simply graduated school on the time, I had simply come off a terrific season on the NCAA Championships,” says Yeargin.
“Coming off the Video games throughout such a excessive season, I discovered the way to adapt to it. I had a concern of getting again in my lane and for the primary couple of races after the Olympics you might be considering: ‘Don’t try this’. It makes you suppose extra.
“After I look again at it, I actually had psychological nervousness and I didn’t understand it was nervousness at first, I believed it was simply stress.
“Coach at all times instructed me you’ve gotten 24 hours to take pleasure in your glory or cry and be unfavorable. It was an enormous flip round, it sucked at first and I believe your first loss is at all times going to be your hardest, however I’m again on the Olympics three years later.”
Nevertheless, that wasn’t the top of Yeargin’s Olympic journey in 2021 as she had the prospect to show her potential within the relays – the occasion at which she feels she excels.
Yeargin was a part of the combined 4x400m group, alongside Nicklas Baker, Emily Diamond and Cameron Chalmers, who completed sixth (3:12.07).
Tokyo 4x400m group (Getty)
In direction of the top of the Video games Yeargin had one final probability to get on that podium within the girls’s relay. Regardless of the grit and willpower of the group, she, Jodie Williams, Emily Diamond and Ama Pipi took fifth place (3:22.59).
“I didn’t let my DQ set me again as a result of I nonetheless needed to run the relays,” says Yeargin. “If I had simply obtained DQ’d and that was it, then I’d in all probability be somewhat salty however the relays helped me get out of that groove.”
Nevertheless the British group have been proving themselves in the previous few years after profitable two bronze medals on the World Championships in Eugene and Budapest.
Yeargin, who was a part of these line-ups, is absorbing the strain of gaining one other medal.
Nicole Yeargin, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, Ama Pipi (Getty)
“It’s strain nevertheless it’s good strain. Everyone seems to be getting quicker however so are we,” she says.
“Now we have so many legs working quick this 12 months and we’ve got some nice man runners this 12 months as effectively.
“I believe, coming off Tokyo, we obtained fifth within the girls’s and sixth within the combined – we’re undoubtedly going to crush that up this 12 months.
“Even when I’m down, and also you suppose I’m not doing effectively within the season I at all times come by for the relays and I can’t wait to point out them what I’ve obtained.
“I can be competing after the Olympics which is new for me, I normally finish [my season] after the championships so I’m actually completely satisfied to be in an excellent head area to have the ability to knock out some extra races publish Olympics.”
In 2022 Yeargin additionally landed Commonwealth Video games relay bronze for Scotland however she already has a purpose in thoughts with regards to stepping on that purple observe in Paris.
Femke Bol, Nicole Yeargin and Stacey Ann Williams (Getty)
“Coach mentioned: ‘I simply want you on the market and do what you at all times do, break up a 49’ and I used to be like: ‘Properly I’m going to do greater than that’.
“I’ve run 49s previously two years and I haven’t run that quick as a person so I’ve some confidence behind me, and we will go somewhat quicker than that.
“The combined relay goes to be onerous however I’m up for it. I’m 100 per cent there and, in the event that they want me, I can be in.”
Whenever you first hear Yeargin communicate, her American accent could be essentially the most noticeable factor.
Raised in Maryland, she qualifies to compete for Workforce GB because of her mom, who was born in Dunfermline.
“After I clarify it to individuals I believe it’s regular and I nonetheless have household residing in Scotland,” says Yeargin. “My mum was born and raised in Scotland her complete life, so I simply have a special accent.
“I don’t trash speak the People however, on the finish of the day once you get on that observe, you might be my enemy.”
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