University of Georgia Athletics
Butler Hoping Paris Is Just The Beginning
October 07, 2024 | Track & Field
Maya McKenzie
Georgia Sports Communications
Qualifying for the Olympics is nearly every athlete's dream. Earning a gold medal on the world's biggest stage is an achievement not many can say they have done. Aaliyah Butler accomplished both in one summer.
The Georgia junior sprinter from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., traveled to Paris to participate in the 2024 Olympics. She ran the 4x400 women's relay and won gold for team USA. While qualifying for a stage as big as the Olympics comes as a shock to most, Georgia Director of Track and Field Caryl Smith Gilbert believed in Butler from the jump.
"It was a goal of ours," Gilbert said. "I was very happy for her, but I knew she could do it from when I recruited her as a junior in high school."
When traveling across the world, it's easy to let the nerves get the best of you. Butler's motivation for staying on track comes from her support system. Growing up in a house with brothers who ran track, competition was inevitable. Whether it's her track family or her family at home, Butler said words of encouragement pushed her to remain calm. Reflecting on her time at the University of Georgia keeps her grounded, reminding her of why she was in Paris.
"Thinking about all the work I put in and how I got here keeps me on track," she said.
On top of what motivates Butler, her persevering mindset sets her apart. Champions aren't just the people who run the fastest or set a new PR. Champions learn from mistakes and are willing to show action to their ambitions. Butler's work ethic and consistent drive make her a valuable asset to the track and field team.
"People want things but are not willing to do the things to actually get it," Gilbert said. "But Aaliyah is willing to do that every day."
Since coming to Georgia, Aaliyah has done nothing but improve the track and field program. Last season, she was victorious in the 200-meter dash at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational. In addition to her relay in the Olympics, she finished second at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., to qualify for the U.S. team. She ran a 49.71, which beat her school record of 49.79 from the 2024 SEC Championship.
"She's historical because she is one of the trailblazers for what we are doing here," Gilbert said.Â
Looking at the upcoming season, expectations don't change for Butler. Her coaches still want her to perform the best she can. From Butler's perspective, her time in Paris only gave her more strength to do it all over again.
"Going to Paris showed me that I can do everything that I put my mind to," she said. "Now knowing that I can compete at that level, it just brings in a new type of energy for me."
Georgia Sports Communications
Qualifying for the Olympics is nearly every athlete's dream. Earning a gold medal on the world's biggest stage is an achievement not many can say they have done. Aaliyah Butler accomplished both in one summer.
The Georgia junior sprinter from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., traveled to Paris to participate in the 2024 Olympics. She ran the 4x400 women's relay and won gold for team USA. While qualifying for a stage as big as the Olympics comes as a shock to most, Georgia Director of Track and Field Caryl Smith Gilbert believed in Butler from the jump.
"It was a goal of ours," Gilbert said. "I was very happy for her, but I knew she could do it from when I recruited her as a junior in high school."
When traveling across the world, it's easy to let the nerves get the best of you. Butler's motivation for staying on track comes from her support system. Growing up in a house with brothers who ran track, competition was inevitable. Whether it's her track family or her family at home, Butler said words of encouragement pushed her to remain calm. Reflecting on her time at the University of Georgia keeps her grounded, reminding her of why she was in Paris.
"Thinking about all the work I put in and how I got here keeps me on track," she said.
On top of what motivates Butler, her persevering mindset sets her apart. Champions aren't just the people who run the fastest or set a new PR. Champions learn from mistakes and are willing to show action to their ambitions. Butler's work ethic and consistent drive make her a valuable asset to the track and field team.
"People want things but are not willing to do the things to actually get it," Gilbert said. "But Aaliyah is willing to do that every day."
Since coming to Georgia, Aaliyah has done nothing but improve the track and field program. Last season, she was victorious in the 200-meter dash at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational. In addition to her relay in the Olympics, she finished second at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., to qualify for the U.S. team. She ran a 49.71, which beat her school record of 49.79 from the 2024 SEC Championship.
"She's historical because she is one of the trailblazers for what we are doing here," Gilbert said.Â
Looking at the upcoming season, expectations don't change for Butler. Her coaches still want her to perform the best she can. From Butler's perspective, her time in Paris only gave her more strength to do it all over again.
"Going to Paris showed me that I can do everything that I put my mind to," she said. "Now knowing that I can compete at that level, it just brings in a new type of energy for me."
Players Mentioned
Sprints
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