U.S. Hurdler Rai Benjamin Uses Music To Get In Medal Mindset
Jun 27, 2024, 3:24 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – With an Olympic Silver medal already on his resume, Team U.S.A. hurdler Rai Benjamin knows precisely how to get his mind right before a race. Benjamin turns to the soundtrack from the famous 2014 Sci-fi/Adventure flick Interstellar to get hyped before stepping on the track.
“Sometimes before my races, sometimes before I workout,” Benjamin said with a toothy smile. “Specifically, the Interstellar soundtrack. You walk out, you’re on the track, and all my senses get higher. I smell better. I see better. The gun goes off, and that’s where the magic starts.”
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American Rai Benjamin wins the 400m Hurdles at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic!
📺: @nbc & @peacock | #EugeneDL pic.twitter.com/vygV6YzSVk
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 16, 2023
The 2020 Tokyo Games silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles returns to the Summer Olympics for the second time with his eyes on a long-coveted gold medal. Benjamin credits his mother as his hero and recognizes her sacrifices in his track and field journey. However, the self-professed sneakerhead couldn’t talk her into supporting his love of Air Jordan shoes.
“My mom has been there every step of the way. She never wanted to buy me a pair of sneakers. If I wanted a new pair of spikes, she would spend $200 on a new pair of spikes, but not Jordans.”
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The Mount Vernon, New York native began his college career at UCLA before transferring to USC to finish his career.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering the Utah State Aggies, Locals in MLB, and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees, Beehive baseball, and Aggie athletics coverage here.
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