by Deji Ogeyingbo
What happened to Michael Norman?
You only have one chance to make a good impression. That is as true in life as in a sport like Track and Field, where the Olympics occur once every four years. Michael Norman’s journey through the 400 meters has been anything but straightforward.
From his teenage years, he set high expectations, breaking records and marking himself as one of the world’s most promising sprinters. His talent was confirmed when he nearly qualified for the U.S. Olympic team at 18 and shattered the U.S. high school 400m record. His ascent continued through college and into the professional ranks, but the path has had its share of setbacks. The latest: a disappointing finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he missed the podium in the 400m.
Michael Norman’s 2024 season unfolded as a test of resilience and recalibration. Known for his world-class talent in the 400 meters, Norman entered the year hoping to build on his 2022 world title. However, injuries, setbacks, and adjustments in his training challenged his momentum. Despite these hurdles, he pushed forward with a commitment to peak for the Paris Olympics. Yet, when it came time to perform on the world’s biggest stage, Norman couldn’t find his form, ultimately falling short of the podium in the 400m final.
The journey to Paris was already far from straightforward. After a promising season opener of 44.21s in May, putting him at No. 3 globally, Norman struggled to maintain consistency in his performances. He later revealed that “body-type issues” limited his training throughout early 2024, compounding the lingering effects of tendonitis and other injuries from the previous year. With a season focused on balancing recovery and training, Norman aimed to overcome these limitations at the Paris Olympics, hoping his experience and skill would pull him through. But he couldn’t capture the podium spot he’d trained for when the final arrived.
This wasn’t Norman’s first disappointment on the Olympic stage. In Tokyo 2021, he had entered as a medal favorite but finished fifth in the individual 400m, which he described as “devastating.” He had responded to that setback with determination, channeling his frustrations into a world championship victory in 2022. But this time, the challenge was different. The injuries and the mental toll of a physically demanding season took their toll in Paris as he could only manage an 8th-place finish in the final despite fishing second in the US Trials in June. It left him looking ahead, seeking a way to rebound and bring a new purpose to his journey.
USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, June 23-26, 2022, photo by Kevin Morris
Reflecting on his season, Norman recognized the need to adapt. What is the mindset Norman now brings into the next phase of his career? He remains focused on regaining peak form, learning from this season’s setbacks, and using them as building blocks for his comeback.
Norman’s path forward includes returning to his training roots with coach Quincy Watts, a familiar and trusted guide in his career. Focusing on health, stability, and consistency, he aims to ensure his physical condition is as resilient as his mental approach. His disappointment in Paris has only sharpened his motivation as he sees a chance for redemption in the coming seasons.
