New Delhi, 9th October 2024: Star American discus thrower Valarie Allman, who won gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) and the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been named the International Event Ambassador for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024, scheduled for October 20. This announcement was made by race promoters Procam International.
Allman’s remarkable throw of 69.50 meters in Paris set a new American record, further cementing her status as one of the top discus throwers globally. Her Olympic journey began with a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, achieved with a powerful first throw of 68.98 meters. In addition to her Olympic victories, Allman is also a two-time World Championship medallist, winning silver in 2023 and bronze in 2022.
Allman’s journey into athletics began unexpectedly. She initially aspired to be a dancer before discovering her passion for track and field in high school, inspired by her elder brother. She quickly rose to prominence, winning silver at the 2017 Summer Universiade and making her mark on the international stage.
Although she missed the 2017 World Championships, Allman’s perseverance paid off when she qualified for the US Olympic team for Tokyo 2020, becoming the first American woman to win Olympic gold in discus since 2008. Her personal best throw of 71.46 meters, recorded in April 2022 at the Triton Invitational in La Jolla, ranks as the 15th longest in history and the longest in nearly three decades.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Allman continued her reign, securing gold with a throw of 69.50 meters. Her dominance in the event was clear, as all her valid throws in the final outperformed her closest rival, China’s Bin Feng, by nearly two meters.
Allman had a message for the people of Delhi, saying, “The beautiful aspect of a running event is its ability to bring us together as a community and make it our own for the larger good. The start line is not just a race; it’s a celebration of camaraderie, determination, resilience, and a showcase of our ability to push limits and achieve new personal milestones. I am delighted that my visit to India is for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon and to be a part of something that brings out the vibrant colors of India, #AaRangDeDilli, I like the sound of that.”
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc & Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited, said, “The Vedanta family is absolutely delighted to welcome the incredible Olympic champion Valarie Allman to the 2024 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. As a two-time Olympic gold medallist and an extraordinary athlete, her presence will undoubtedly ignite a wave of inspiration, encouraging even more people to hit the track and run for a cause closest to our hearts – Run for Zero Hunger. Together, we can race towards a healthier, malnutrition-free India!”
Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International said, “It is a matter of huge pride for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024 and for India to be in the presence of two-time Olympic Gold medallist Valerie Allman. She has repeatedly proven that nothing is impossible with her incredible performances. Her endorsement will be a source of inspiration to all the participants of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, to go the distance.”