On her Olympic debut, the 25-year-old hurdler did more than wear the country’s name on her chest. She charged full speed, carrying the Filipino dream in every leap and stride
Nothing screams Pinoy Pride louder than the bleachers by the red, blue, yellow, and white. Whether a pay-per-view boxing duel or a PBA match, game time always feels like a national holiday for Filipinos.
It was no different when Fil-Am hurdler Lauren Hoffman punched her ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics and stood as the lone female runner on the track. For the athlete, representing the Philippines in the women’s 400m hurdles was more than an athletic feat; every step was a victory for Filipinos.
In an exclusive interview with MEGA Active, the hurdler opens up about the value of Filipino visibility on the world stage and reflects on her inaugural season at the Paris Games.
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At the Starting Line
Lauren Hoffman practically lived on the track her whole life, her athletic career dating back to elementary school. Years of extensive training soon earned her a spot on Duke University’s athletic team, where her stint as a Blue Devil was a gold mine.
However, it was in her sophomore year that young Lauren set her sights on something bigger—donning the Philippine colors on the track.
“When I came close to that record, I saw the goal. I visualized myself in that moment.”
– Lauren Hoffman
With her track record, it was only fitting that Lauren be granted that dream. The athlete holds the Duke record of 55.47 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. Clocking 13.61 seconds in the 100-meter event, she consistently went below the 17-year-old national record previously held by Sheena Atilano in 2007.
The Lone Filipina on the Track
Beaming, the athlete recalls the moment she learned she qualified for the Olympics. “Finding out that I qualified was a really special moment because [I thought], ‘Wow, I did it,’” Hoffman says. ”All I could do was just cry and hug my mom because I was just so excited.”
Fighting for flag and country, Lauren took on the women’s 400-meter hurdles. She concluded her Olympic debut with a time of 58.28 seconds in Heat 3, finishing seventh in the repechage round of the event.
For the 25-year-old, her debut at the Olympics was nothing short of monumental. She emerged as the sole Filipina hurdler on the track and was also part of the Philippine Olympic centennial team. “I feel like it was just an honor to be part of something so special,” Lauren expresses.
Women in sports have long broken barriers, and she continues to be a testament. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, history was made with a majority of the Philippine representatives being women. The trend continues this year with 15 out of our 22 bets proudly representing the country as females.
Grace Under Pressure
Despite the hurdles, Lauren exudes pure grit and genuine joy. She looks back at her time on the Olympic track and sees her setbacks as wins instead of losses—and bears it all with a smile on her face.
“Leading up to the Olympics, I was dealing with some injuries and I wasn’t sure if my ranking was going to hold,” she tells MEGA. “So, it was very special to just push through those things and actually compete on the Olympic stage. Even though it wasn’t my best performance, I was still able to overcome everything.”
Even after years of competing, Lauren still finds something new about herself with every race. This time around, she established her knack for embracing each challenge with unwavering determination. “I proved to myself that I can do hard things, and I can overcome setbacks,” the hurdler shares.
Such attitude towards losses is something every Filipino–athlete and non-athlete alike–can learn from. For Lauren, it’s pushing through the tough times and the ability to bounce back that counts more than any outcome.
Half-Blood, Full Pinoy Heart
“For God and for the Philippines.” This is what the Fil-Am Olympian repeats in her head while getting in the blocks. Coming into the Games as a Filipino-American was not without challenges, yet she stayed committed to honoring not only her faith but also her roots.
“It’s always an honor to represent the Philippines [and have] the Philippine flag across my chest. It’s bringing me so much pride,” the Olympian said. As a trailblazer for the next generations of Fil-Am athletes to come, Hoffman only hopes that they’re influenced to do the same. “It’s great to see any Filipino on the world stage […] whether they’re representing any country. But it means more when people decide to choose to represent the Philippines,” she opens up.
A five-time serial record breaker, national record holder, and now—an Olympian. Many wonder what’s next for Lauren Hoffman. Today, the athlete is looking to spend the rest of the year focusing on her health and taking a well-deserved break. With the IMAC indoor meet, SEA Games, and the world champs happening in the upcoming year, she plans to return sharper and more ready than ever.
