CANYON, Texas – Bassem Hemeida, a former student-athlete from West Texas A&M Track and Field, has achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 400-meter hurdles. Representing Team Qatar, Hemeida will make his Olympic debut after an impressive career trajectory.
 
During his freshman season at West Texas A&M in 2021-2022, Hemeida garnered notable achievements. He secured the NCAA Division II National Runner-up title in the 400m hurdles and contributed to the team's third-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay. His standout performance at the nationals included setting a personal best time of 49.68 seconds, which also broke the WT Buffs' 400m hurdles record. Additionally, he played a crucial role in establishing the Buffs' school record in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3 minutes, 6.52 seconds.
 
Hemeida's athletic prowess has earned him a global ranking, currently standing at 31st in the 400-meter hurdles according to World Athletics. He showcased his competitive edge this summer in the Diamond League, achieving top-8 finishes in multiple races across Oslo, Stockholm, and Madrid. His best performance of the season was in Madrid, where he clocked 50.30 seconds to secure sixth place.
 
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are slated for July 24-August 11. The Athletics events begin on August 1 with the men's 400-meter hurdler preliminaries starting on Monday, August 5^th.