TRACK & FIELD

Hard work in training and valuable experience on the world stage have gotten Miranda to her first Olympics

Watch this video of Miranda Coetzee winning the SA Champs 400m title in 2023 and you will see how she has the ability to outlast her opponents in the final 100m of the notoriously tough 400m event . ( Video courtesy of Super- Sport , via Grigora Sport )

MA : How different was Birmingham to Eugene ? Was it easier to adapt ? MC : Birmingham was nice , it was easier to adapt because we didn ’ t fly through different time zones . Also , the set-up in Birmingham was also less ‘ loud ’ than Eugene , and therefore less intimidating .

MA : Did you learn anything about yourself at these events , both as a person and as an athlete ?

MC : I learnt that once I put my mind to something and focus on that , I really can achieve it . I also learnt that I am a very strong being , I can handle pressure well , and that athletics has just made me a better person in general , I am more confident in myself now .

MA : Let ’ s take things back a few steps … When did you start participating in athletics ?

MC : I first started doing athletics when I was in grade 10 , at Hoërskool Bekker , the high school I attended in Magaliesberg .

MA : I believe you actually started your sporting career playing Netball , so what made you change focus to the track ?

MC : I played netball for 3 years , but I felt I had more potential in athletics than I had in Netball . I think I was a very good netball player , but I ’ m an excellent runner , and I fell in love with the sport more than I did netball .

MA : What do you do outside of athletics ? MC : Currently I ’ m not doing much else , because my main focus has been on preparation for the Olympics , so I didn ’ t want any distractions , but I have studied financial management . Right now , I ’ m just focusing on the sport , but I think I might go back to studying again next year .

MA : What is the one thing that you never leave at home when traveling … other than your spikes , of course ?

MC : Oh , this is so tough ! Other than my spikes , you say ? Mmmm , I love my lip gloss – I cannot go a day without it . That ’ s just one thing I never forget .

National Colours 9 x SA Representative , including : 2022 World Championships 2022 Commonwealth Games 2023 World Championships

Continental Champion 2022 African Champion 400m 2022 African Champion 4x400m Relay 2024 African Champion 400m 2024 African Champion 4x400m Mixed Relay

National Champion 2023 SA Champion 200m 2023 SA Champion 400m

MA : What are you looking forward to most in Paris ? MC : I want to see the Eiffel Tower so bad , and I want to meet new people and learn a little bit of French .

MA : What is the essential advice you would give to an up-and-coming young athlete ?

MC : Believe in yourself , fight for what you want , stay focused . Give your best in everything that you do , and above all , pray . Just love God , because he will lead you to your path , and he will bring the people in your journey that are meant to be there , to help you achieve what you want .

MA : Final question for you … Do you have a motto or a mantra that you live by ? MC : Set yourself goals and then demolish them , because vision without action Is a daydream !

At the recent 2024 African Champsionships in Cameroon , Miranda Coetzee ran the anchor leg for the SA Mixed 4x400m Relay team in the final . Taking the baton in third position , she absolutely blitzed her lap to take SA to the gold medal ! ( Video courtesy of Making of Champs )

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