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McKenzie Long OLY (born July 11, 2000). McKenzie Long is an American sprinter who has made significant strides in the world of track and field. Born on July 11, 2000, in Ironton, Ohio, she has quickly risen to prominence with her impressive performances in the 100m and 200m events.
Early life
She attended Ironton High School in southern Ohio, Pickerington High School Central in Ohio. She became Ohio indoor state champion over 60 metres and committed to North Carolina State University in October 2017. In 2023, Long would transfer to the University of Mississippi.
Career
Long spent four years at the North Carolina State University, where she suffered a severe hip injury which took 12 months to recover from causing her to miss the 2021 outdoor and 2022 indoors seasons. In May 2022, she set a North Carolina State record of 23.00 in the 200 metres. She placed fifth in the 60 meters and second in the 200m in the 2023 SEC indoors championships, and then seventh in the 60m and fourth in the 200m at the 2023 NCAA indoors championships.
Running for the University of Mississippi, Long won the SEC Championship 200 metres in 2023, running 22.39 seconds to beat Jacious Sears, Kaila Jackson and Talitha Diggs. She retained her title in Gainesville, Florida in May 2024 at the 2024 SEC Outdoor Championships. In doing so, she set a world-leading and SEC meet record wind-legal personal best time of 22.03 (+0.6), which placed her fifth in collegiate history and No. 22 all-time in the United States.
At the 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she won the 100m title with a wind-assisted time of 10.82 (+2.2), she then won the 200m title, clocking a time of 21.83, the second fastest time run by a collegiate. She would add a third championship victory when Ole Miss went on to win the 4x100 relay. Long's efforts would help Ole Miss to become just the fourth team in women's NCAA Outdoor history to sweep all three events after Florida State (1984), LSU (1989, 1990, 1996), and Texas (1991, 2023).
Long made her first Olympic team by finishing third in the 200m at the 2024 Olympic Trials with a time of 21.91. She competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris over 200 metres, reaching the final and placing seventh overall.
She placed fourth in the 200 metres at the 2025 Diamond League event at the 2025 Golden Gala in Rome on 6 June 2025.
Professional Milestones
Adidas Sponsorship: Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Trials, Long signed a professional contract with Adidas, marking her transition from collegiate athletics to the professional track and field circuit.
Personal Life and Resilience
Long has completed voluntary work in projects supporting food sustainability and security.
In February 2024, Long faced the sudden loss of her mother, Tara Jones, to a heart attack. Despite the profound grief, she channeled her emotions into her training, dedicating her performances to her mother's memory. This resilience was evident as she achieved remarkable success in the 2024 season.
Legacy and Future
McKenzie Long's journey from a small-town athlete to an Olympic finalist is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. As she continues her professional career, she remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.
