Kendra Harrison Heartbroken Despite Creating World Record

American athlete Keni Harrison says she’s disappointed at missing out on the Rio Olympics.

Kendra Harrison of the US competes in a women’s 60 metre hurdles heat during the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon. (Photo: Reuters)

Hours after breaking the 28-year-old 100 metres hurdles record on Friday to avenge failing to make the US Olympic team, Kendra Harrison, revealed that there is another race she wants to conquer.

(I want to) try to get another record in the 400 hurdles.

Kendra Harrison, Athlete, USA

She bettered the record of Bulgaria’s Yordanka Donkova from 1988 – four years before Harrison was born – by one hundredth of a second.

I wanted to come out here with a vengeance to show these girls what I have.

Kendra Harrison, Athlete, USA

Pressure Snubbed Rio Hopes

Harrison was a sure-fire favourite before the American trials to make the US team and win gold at Rio after running the second-fastest 100 meters hurdles ever in May.

The pressure got to me. I was really heartbroken. I wanted to give up so bad.

Kendra Harrison, Athlete, USA

But calling it a season was not the answer, she realised. 

Kendra Harrison of the U.S. (R) reacts after being disqualified in women’s 100 meters hurdles semi-final during the 15th IAAF World Championships. (Photo: Reuters)

She added:

I knew this was the only way I was going to make myself feel better, to get back to training and go after that world record.

Upset Yet Hopeful

Harrison will next make a trip home to North Carolina and her family of 11 to watch and cheer on her US team mates in Rio before three more races in Europe. She hopes to wrap up the Diamond League 100 metres hurdles title, ensuring she will have a bye into the 2017 world championships in the event.

If I do that I have a chance to take a break from the 100 hurdles until world championships and try to get another record in the 400 hurdles. My main focus (next year) will be the 400 hurdles until the worlds and I will try to do both.

Kendra Harrison, Athlete, USA

Though heartbroken about missing Rio, the failure has brought a new challenge, Kendra said.

It is unfortunate I didn’t get top three. But once I try again in a few years, I know getting top three is probably going to be the best feeling in the world, knowing that I conquered so much to get there.

Kendra Harrison, Athlete, USA