Aaliyah Butler secured her spot on the U.S. Olympic team with a stunning performance in the women’s 400 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday, clocking a personal best of 49.71 seconds to finish second in a fiercely competitive final.
The 20-year-old University of Georgia sophomore, who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bounced back from a disappointing collegiate national championship to deliver when it mattered most.
“It’s exciting,” Butler told NBC, reflecting on her first Olympic berth.
Butler’s resilience paid off after she opted to remain in Eugene following the collegiate championships, refocusing her training under coach Caryl Smith Gilbert.
Kendall Ellis Wins National Title
Kendall Ellis claimed the national title with a personal best of 49.46 seconds, surging past Butler in the final stretch. Alexis Holmes rounded out the Olympic-bound trio, also setting a lifetime best of 49.78 for third place.
The electrifying final saw all three top finishers achieve personal bests, with all nine finalists breaking 51 seconds, highlighting the depth of talent in U.S. women’s 400-meter running.