PARIS − Team USA sprinter Brittni Mason was all smiles as the silver medal was placed around her neck on the podium at the Stade de France Tuesday night. She earned that spot with a 12.10-second finish in the women’s 100m T47 race.
That smile was noticeably absent during her introduction and close-up as she went through her pre-race routine.
“I’m just analyzing my race,” she said of her mindset. “The things that I need to focus on before I get into the blocks because everyone knows you can’t sprint and think at the same time.”
It’s been eight long days of thinking for Mason since the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics. The two-time Paralympian has done everything in her power to minimize distraction prior to the race.
“Honestly, I’ve literally not even gone out to the city,” said Mason. “I’ve just been sleeping, eating, practicing and just recovering. Trying to stay tuned in to my first race.”
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Although the race was over in the blink of an eye, the difference between gold and silver was only sixth one-hundredths of a second with Ecuador sprinter Kiara Rodriguez finishing first in 12.04.
Mason said she expects the race to propel her forward.
“I finished that 100 strong,” she said. “That has given me a lot of confidence and ammunition for my next race. I’ll go back and talk to my coach to see what I need to fix, and then a couple of rest days and then off to the 200.”
The 100 is just the beginning of Mason’s competition as she is set to run the 200m on Saturday. Mason and her coaches have been training for the 100 specifically in hopes of bettering her time for her longer races.
“I’ve still got some more work to do, but you know, I’ll take that. I’m just super honored and humbled to be here and still be healthy and still be competing really well and medaling” said Mason
This silver finish is Mason’s third Paralympic medal and second in this event. Although Mason has stood on the podium before, she said she still felt the pride of representing her country.
“This is so surreal,” Mason said. “I wake up every day and get to do what I love and run while representing my country and medal. I am just so happy to be here.”
Mason had a late start to her Paralympic career as she did not even know she was eligible to compete until she was 20. Since birth, the sprinter’s left arm has had a limited range of motion due to a form of brachial plexus called Erb’s Palsy. Mason has since made it a point to be a Paralympics advocate so that fellow athletes with disabilities will know about their chance to compete on the world stage.
“I’ve had so many people who’ve actually watched me compete with the same disability and reach out to say because of you I know that I could run para in the future,” said Mason. “Then just try to get them involved and to help grow the sport.”