1. LASHINDA DEMUS
MOTHER OF TWINS
AMERICAN RECORD HOLDER
2012 OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST
2. The Mother of All OLYMPIC Dreams
Team USA’s LASHINDA DEMUS, 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist and American
record holder, is a track superstar phenomenon born in Southern California. At
the age of two, LASHINDA’s mother introduced her to the track, not realizing
that her admiration for running would eventually lead her to a #1 world ranking
in the 400 meter hurdles. In 2004, LASHINDA turned professional after
competing in the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Following the games, she
earned the first of two national titles in the 400 meter hurdles (2005).
In the latter part of 2006, the world’s top ranked hurdler revved up for the
family life. After marriage, and pregnancy 5’7 LASHINDA gained more than 50
pounds. LASHINDA successfully delivered twin boys in June 2007 and
astonishingly was back in training just weeks later collectively regaining her
health and strength to recapture her #1 status.
3. LASHINDA’s return wasn’t an easy transition, and there were many
setbacks. For the better part of a year, LASHINDA struggled with Post-
Partum depression, something that affects nearly 13% of pregnant
women and new mothers according to government statistics.
Only 6 weeks after birth, LASHINDA’s mother, her coach and a former
NCAA champion, helped bridge the gap, and a few months later, the four
time world champion was working out at an elite level just in time to
compete at the 2008 Olympic trials. She led for most of the race but
slowly faded to fourth missing the Olympic 400 meter hurdle team by .
14 seconds. This loss only increased her drive to succeed.
“I see myself winning. Every time I envision running, I see myself winning”
4. In the 2009 season, LASHINDA lit up Europe running world leading
times in four out of seven races. She set world best times in Monaco,
London and Crete, Greece. LASHINDA posted the then fourth-fastest
time ever when she blistered the track with a personal best of 52.63
(beat the 2008 Olympic Champion at the time). A month later
LASHINDA went under 53 seconds after a flawed race in the 2009
World Championships in Berlin, running a time of 52.96s for the
silver medal (also 11th fastest time in history) and securing Gold in
the 1600 meter relay.
With much enthusiasm and focus to succeed, LASHINDA secured the
women’s 400m hurdles world title and the American record during
the 2011 world championships in Daegu, Korea. LASHINDA ran the
fastest 400 meter hurdle time that year, setting a new world best
(52.47) to defeat defending champion Melanie Walker of Jamaica .
LASHINDA’S time was the third fastest ever, and breaking the 16 year
old American record established her as one of the favorites in the
2012 Olympics.
5. Although LASHINDA is best known as the
world’s top-ranked 400-meter hurdler and
one of the greatest female hurdlers in
history – the spotlight at the 2012 Olympics
.
was shared by her 5-year-old twin boys,
Duaine and Dontae, whom she nicknamed
the “twindigs.” Throughout the Games, her
children were her biggest cheerleaders,
screaming “GO MOMMY” from the stands.
Before her finals, NBC aired a segment
where LASHINDA spoke candidly about
how she dealt with depression after the
birth of her sons. Like many working
mothers, LASHINDA had to find a
positively connected lifestyle as she “I want to leave a legacy for my kids,
struggled with balancing her career and
something they can look back at and
family.
not have an excuse to do whatever
It was LASHINDA’S sons that inspired her they want to do and take the easy way
to train again. More determined than ever, out. You can't beat hard work”
LASHINDA is preparing for the 2016
Olympics. She is most definitely a triple
threat and continues to redefine the role of
women athletes as mothers
6. Personal Data
Hometown:
Los
Angeles,
CA
9 – year old wife and mother of 5-year-old twin
2
boys Duaine and Dontae
Won Silver medal in Women’s 400-meter in
2012 Olympics
Won Gold medal at the 2011 World championships
Set American record of 52.47 in 2011
4x World Champion
Unexpected pregnancy kept her from the 2008 Olympics
Battled difficult pregnancy and post-partum depression
Demus’ mother, Yolanda, was a NCAA 400m
champion at Cal State LA and is also her coach.
Best hurdler in the history of American track and
field
Alignment with one of the Nation’s best female
athletes.
