Audrey Werro: From modest goals to one of fastest 800m runners in history<\/p>\n
Just a few months ago Werro had no idea her 2026 would pan out like this.<\/p>\n
She began the season with modest ambitions of a podium at her continental championships – but how those objectives have changed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goal for this season was to have a medal at the European Championships and I was not sure whether it was the gold medal I wanted or the bronze or silver; it was just to have a podium,\u201d she admitted after her race.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now she has three of the fastest 800m times in history, three victories at some of the most prestigious athletics events of the year and a burgeoning reputation as arguably the strongest two-lap runner of her generation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While her progress has exceeded what she thought was possible, she has proven to herself that she is able to consistently raise her game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think (breaking the 1:54 mark) gave me a lot of confidence because I know that I can be faster in every race, because I just ran 1:53 one time, so I can do that another time,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just happy I could run multiple times in a fast time. I think now it\u2019s just easier to go back in training and to improve, because it was not just a lucky day.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also credits her rivalry with the likes of Hodgkinson and Bol as a reason for her consistency this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it pushed me a lot because I know I have to stay focused and continue working because they are as strong as me, I think,” she explained. “So I can\u2019t just rest on everything I already achieved and I need to continue working in order to continue to be the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
A shift to becoming a full-time professional athlete has played its part in her rise, as has another year of training for a 22-year-old who is still a relative youngster in her sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But even so, the improvement in her performances have been wilder than the dreams she held even as a child. When Olympics.com asked her whether she now pinches herself when thinking about her achievements, Werro\u2019s response was clear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day I think of that,\u201d she answered. \u201cAnd this is really crazy, because when I was little I was not expecting to be one of the best athletes in the 800. So every day I think of that and that just makes me so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n