Anna Hall has stated that she achieved a lifelong dream by taking part in the 2024 Paris Olympics, though she regrets not being able to get her hands on a medal.
Hall bagged a total of 6,615 points in the women’s heptathlon in the French capital, finishing fifth overall and 92 points shy of a podium finish. She fell from third at the start of the final day to fifth heading into the 800m.
She found herself 127 points away from the bronze medal. She needed to perform well in the 800 meters to have a shot at getting a medal. Although she won the race in two minutes and 4.39 seconds, her competitors ran personal bests to leave her empty-handed. Her long jump of 5.93 meters was sixth individually, while her javelin throw was fifth.
With the Summer Games wrapped up, Hall took to social media to reflect on her Paris Olympics campaign.
"Thank you @paris2024 for helping me realize a lifelong dream but I wanted more. Thanks everyone for the kindness & love, I feel it all. You’ll hear from me soon. The Godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again, proverbs 24:16," she captioned a post on Instagram.
"I gave it my very best" - Anna Hall on her 2024 Paris Olympics performance
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam (6880 points) claimed a record-setting third Olympic heptathlon gold medal. Great Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson (6844 points) won the silver while her compatriot Noor Vidts (6707 points) took the bronze.
After the event, Anna Hall expressed her disappointment with her results and stated that she gave it her best in her debut Olympics.
"5th hurts, bad. Trying hard to be proud of the fight we gave these last 2 days and last 7 months. I gave it my very best. I hope I made you all proud," she wrote on X (formerly Twiter).
Hall has always worked hard to make a comeback despite setbacks. At the US Olympic track and field trials in 2021, she fell during the hurdles and injured her navicular bone, bringing an end to her hopes of taking part in the Tokyo Olympics.
In June this year, just six months after knee surgery, Hall won the heptathlon at the US Olympic trials to ensure she was on the Paris-bound plane.