Texas Tech University Athletics
Roberts To Represent Team USA At Rio Olympics
July 03, 2016 | Track and Field
Gil Roberts placed second in the 400-meter final on Sunday to punch his ticket to Rio.
EUGENE, Ore. – Texas Tech track & field record holder Gil Roberts earned his spot on Team USA in the 400-meter dash for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, June 3, at Hayward Field.
In his post-race TV interview, Roberts said his mentality when the gun went off to start the race was to "Go for it. Get to Rio. First, second or third, it doesn't matter."
Roberts went for it, coming out of the blocks with the fastest reaction time at 0.171, moving well through the first 200 meters. He held the lead after rounding the Bowerman curve, but was caught by LaShawn Merritt, who was in lane five next to him, on the final straightaway.
Roberts crossed the finish line in second with a time of 44.73 seconds, earning his place on the team for the Olympics. He stayed consistent throughout the three days of 400-meter competition, placing second overall in all three rounds, posting times of 45.40 in the first round and 44.67 in the semifinals.
"The goal was to make it to Rio, and I did whatever I could to get it," Roberts said. "I got second, so I'm pleased with it. I've still got things to work on, so that's always a positive knowing that you didn't do everything perfect when you lost. I've got things to fix and hopefully I'm better at Rio."
It will be his first Olympic Games. He won the 400 meters at the USATF Championships in 2014 and in 2012, he helped the U.S. win the 4x400-meter relay World Indoor championship. He still holds the indoor & outdoor 400-meter dash school records.
"I'm ecstatic," Roberts said. "Words can't describe how I really feel right now, but I put everything into this season to make it to the Olympics. That's been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and I'm on cloud nine right now. I just can't wait to talk to my family."
In his post-race TV interview, Roberts said his mentality when the gun went off to start the race was to "Go for it. Get to Rio. First, second or third, it doesn't matter."
Roberts went for it, coming out of the blocks with the fastest reaction time at 0.171, moving well through the first 200 meters. He held the lead after rounding the Bowerman curve, but was caught by LaShawn Merritt, who was in lane five next to him, on the final straightaway.
Roberts crossed the finish line in second with a time of 44.73 seconds, earning his place on the team for the Olympics. He stayed consistent throughout the three days of 400-meter competition, placing second overall in all three rounds, posting times of 45.40 in the first round and 44.67 in the semifinals.
"The goal was to make it to Rio, and I did whatever I could to get it," Roberts said. "I got second, so I'm pleased with it. I've still got things to work on, so that's always a positive knowing that you didn't do everything perfect when you lost. I've got things to fix and hopefully I'm better at Rio."
It will be his first Olympic Games. He won the 400 meters at the USATF Championships in 2014 and in 2012, he helped the U.S. win the 4x400-meter relay World Indoor championship. He still holds the indoor & outdoor 400-meter dash school records.
"I'm ecstatic," Roberts said. "Words can't describe how I really feel right now, but I put everything into this season to make it to the Olympics. That's been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and I'm on cloud nine right now. I just can't wait to talk to my family."
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