Joseph DiCristofaro

The Ironton Tribune

Olympian, NCAA National Champion and Ironton native McKenzie Long wrapped up her Olympic performance on Tuesday placing seventh in the Women’s 200-meter Final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Long shot out of the blocks at the sound of the horn. Her build-up in the first 100 meters put her in a deadlock with the other runners. In the final 100 meters Long was unable to overpass her competition to medal in the event.

Despite not medaling, the summer of 2024 has been one to remember for Long and Ironton residents alike. For Long, she has brushed the pinnacle of track and field stardom. She won multiple NCAA National Championships and capped off the summer with an appearance in the 2024 Paris Olympics Women’s 200-meter Final.

For the residents of Ironton. The reality that one of their own put a small town in rural Ohio in the international spotlight, as a result of a talented and gifted athlete.

The United States put two runners on the podium in the event. Gabrielle Thomas brought home the gold and fellow American Brittany Brown took bronze.