Washington State Cougars On SI

WSU Alum CJ Allen Headed to Paris Olympics For Team USA

Joe Londergan

May 14, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; C.J. Allen of Washington State wins 400m hurdles heat in 51.01 during the 2016 Pac-12 Track and Field championships at the University of Washington. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; C.J. Allen of Washington State wins 400m hurdles heat in 51.01 during the 2016 Pac-12 Track and Field championships at the University of Washington. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After a storied career on the track at Washington State, 29-year-old CJ Allen will realize a dream of competing on the United States Olympic Team later this summer.

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Allen graduated from Washington State in 2017 where he was a two-time Pac-12 champion in the 400-meter hurdles. He finished second in that event at U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene earlier this week with a time of 47.81.

Allen also holds the American record for the 400-meter hurdles indoors at 48.88.

"I've been running the hurdles for 19 years," an emotional Allen said after his spot on the team was official. "This is probably my greatest dream to make this team."

Allen will be the first Washington State Cougar to represent the United States in track and field at the Olympics since Bernard Lagat, who did so in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will commence on July 26. The event will mark Allen's first Olympic games.

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Joe Londergan
JOE LONDERGAN

Joe Londergan joined the SI brand in 2023 with G5 Football Daily. With over 15 years of experience in covering and working directly in college and pro sports, Joe's expertise has been featured in Front Office Sports, SB Nation, and XRAY.FM. He is a member of both the Football Writers' Association of America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. Joe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in sports administration from Seattle University. Outside of his writing career, Joe enjoys golfing, although he admits that while he hits driver decently, his short game is a liability.

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