Trevor Bassitt, right, of the United States, and Vit Muller, of the Czech Republic compete in a men’s 400-meter hurdles at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
AP Photo | Petr David Josek
Trevor Bassitt finished fourth in the first semifinal heat of the 400-meter hurdles on Wednesday, ending his run at the Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old native of Bluffton clocked a time of 48.29, his best time in three heats this week.
Bassitt expressed his disappointment in a post-race interview.
“It’s tough. It’s the first final I’ve ever missed and it’s the biggest final,” he said. “It really hurts, especially knowing that I got ninth and it’s a nine-lane track. I can’t put myself in that position. I said yesterday it was going to take 47 to make the final. I came out, had an okay race, went 48.2 – so it really sucks. I’ve never really felt like this before.”’
Bassitt previously finished fifth in Monday’s second heat with a time of 49.38. He qualified for the semifinals by winning the repechage round in 48.64.
His career-best time in the 400-meter hurdles is 47.38
CJ Allen also missed qualifying for the finals after he finished fourth in the second semifinal heat with a time of 48.44.
Rai Benjamin was the lone American to make it through to Friday’s final round. He won the third semifinal heat in 47.85.
