The future is bright for Canadian hurdler Mariam Abdul-Rashid. The 26-year-old clocked in at 12.69 seconds, her personal best, meeting the standard for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Abdul-Rashid ran her impressive new best at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, and in doing so has become the first Canadian hurdler to meet the Olympic standard for the 2024 competition. Before this race, her season’s best was 12.83 recorded on Apr. 20. Abdul-Rashid’s time is now the sixth fastest in history achieved by a Canadian in the event, according to Athletics Canada. 

A utility athlete for the CTFL’s Huskies, the hurdler’s time will win valuable points for her team, as it may be one of the best times in the country this season. These results suggest a successful season for the athlete, and competitive times in all three marks. 

One athlete who may challenge Abdul-Rashid’s dominance is Arctics utility athlete Michelle Harrison. Hailing from Saskatoon, Sask., Harrison holds the seventh-fastest time of a Canadian in the event, a 12.74. Last season, Harrison placed third amongst utility athletes with 66 points. This season, the two talented athletes will vie for the top spot in the discipline in hopes of bringing their respective teams closer to becoming CTFL champions.