Paris Peoples Talks Home Track Energy & Fixing Her First 200m | Post-Race Interview 2026 USATF
Paris Peoples catches up with us after clocking 51.46 to claim the #3 seed for tomorrow's Women's 400m Final. Peoples shares her thoughts on racing back home in New York, managing her body after competing overseas, and refining her early race strategy.
Video Transcript
All right, Perri.
It's Perri's big Q.
How are you feeling going into finals?
Feeling good.
Really good, actually.
I'm pretty proud of my performance.
I know tomorrow will be good, better.
You've been running a good amount of races this year, up until this point.
How has training went for you?
I'm sorry, say that again.
You've been, running a good amount of races this season, thus far, in like the off year, right?
But how has training been?
How- did you have time to sharpen up, things like that?
Training has actually been good.
I can't complain.
I was overseas for quite a bit, so communicating with my coach between there.
But I feel like I got some really good training in.
I'm probably a lot stronger than I give myself credit for- Okay and I just keep improving at each race.
So I feel pretty good about training, actually.
Right.
And how has your body been feeling going overseas, just all the traveling, the prepping?
Something my coach told me, you gotta be able to just keep going and be able to refocus each time.
So for me, honestly, I was just overseas Saturday, just competing.
So for me to come back out here after delays, my body's kinda like on adrenaline high right now.
So I'm just using it to keep going through the races.
First time USA's been in New York since 1991.
How does it feel to be home- Girl, it's about- representing?
It's about time.
No, it really does feel so real.
I'm really pretty proud to be able to come here, healthy as well.
But for it to be back home, this means a lot.
I used to re- run on this race, this track for years.
So I told myself right before we got on the line, like, "I'm home.
I'm literally home."
So, yeah, I f- I'm a proud New Yorker.
No problem.
Okay, great.
And you get the money.
Thank you.
All right.
You took out really strong in the first 200 meters.
I'm sorry?
I said you took out really strong in the first 200 meters, dropped to 400.
Is that something you've been working on, taking out really strong and then handling it?
Ooh, that has actually been something I've been working on.
I feel like I've been slacking off on it a lot.
I know I'm gonna finish, but just putting myself into the race.
So that's been really p- important to me.
And I think I've been doing quite a good job, almost too good of a job, 'cause it's like, "Okay, slow down."
I know how fast I am, but I don't think my body has really registered it as well.
Kind of connect to that here with- You came through here with really good vibes.
What does it mean to come and do a race with like happy vibes going on, good fanfare?
Is that a good feeling?
Girl, I'm on adrenaline high right now.
I am- Yeah.
As long as you- I, I rather be happy than sad about it.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Like, I'm home in New York.
Between the traffic, the delays, I'm here.
So I'm a little antsy.
But it's good.
I'm using the adrenaline just to get through this round at a time.
With you getting out so hard, was that motivated by the fact that there's only two rounds, like somebody who is- Right.
Yeah.
I think also with me running it clean as much as I have, just practicing it a lot within the races.
I don't know what number I'm on by now, but I think I've done, gotten pretty well, pretty good at doing it.
So just being able to put it into a race now, it's kinda, it's more comfortable now.
It's not a shock to my body.
You said your body, like you're kinda comfortable.
I don't want to go too fast.
But what point did you kind of feel along the way, "Oh, I might be losing it"?
How do you kind of know your body is still maintaining?
Surprised I didn't feel it during this race.
I know my last race I did, but this one, I, I feel like my body's getting accustomed to it again.
That was something I really wanted to get used to.
We, we run in 50 points, and 49 is not the round, so I have to be able to put myself into the race.
I'm gonna finish, but just learning, adapting for my body as well.
Well, we look forward to your semi.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thanks.
All right.
