USA's Rai Benjamin Wins Gold Medal in Men's 400m Hurdles at 2024 Olympics

Rai Benjamin has earned his first gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles.

The 27-year-old won the 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics on Friday to claim the second gold medal of his career and the first in the event. He finished with a time of 46.46 seconds as Norway's Karsten Warholm won silver in 47.06 seconds and Brazil's Alison dos Santon claimed bronze in 47.26 seconds.

At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Benjamin earned silver despite running a personal best time of 46.17. Now, three years later, he has claimed the long-awaited gold medal. Benjamin earned his first gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay in 2021, but Friday's medal gives him his first individual gold.

Benjamin's 400-meter hurdles showing in 2021 gave fans one of the most exciting races in the event's history. He and Warholm both set world records, though Warholm finished just ahead of him to earn gold.

Warholm was within striking distance of taking another gold medal from Benjamin on Friday, but a late push gave him all the room he needed to make sure he stood at the top of the podium.

Benjamin's victory means the United States completed a clean sweep in the event in Paris, as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a world record on her way to a second straight gold in the 400-meter hurdles on Thursday.