Alysia Montaño, an American athlete, is set to receive a bronze medal from the 2012 London Olympics, but her reaction is bittersweet. She was informed of the upgrade while alone in a hotel room, far from her family and the excitement of the Olympic stadium. The news brought a mix of emotions, including emptiness, loss, and a sense of injustice.
Montaño initially finished fifth in the women's 800-meter final, just outside the medal positions. However, two Russian athletes who finished ahead of her, Mariya Savinova and Ekaterina Guliyev, were later found to have benefited from Russia's state-sponsored doping program. As a result, Montaño's fourth-place finish is being upgraded to bronze.
The delay in receiving her medal has deprived Montaño of the momentous occasion that every athlete dreams of – stepping onto the podium, hearing their national anthem, and receiving their medal in front of a cheering crowd. Instead, she was informed of her upgrade in a hotel room, feeling isolated and alone.
Montaño has previously been awarded bronze medals for her performances at the 2011 and 2013 world championships after Savinova was stripped of gold in both races. However, the experience has not made the wait any easier. She describes the feeling as a "stab in the gut" and a "loss" that she cannot get back.
The delay has also had financial implications for Montaño. She estimates that she has missed out on payments amounting to "well over seven figures" due to not having an Olympic medal. The true sum is impossible to quantify, as winning a medal at a major championship increases an athlete's potential earnings when negotiating appearance fees or future contracts.
Montaño hopes to receive her Olympic medal at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, with her family, friends, and supporters present to share the moment. She also wants to recoup some of the financial losses she incurred by being denied an Olympic medal. Her sponsor, Clif Bar, has already agreed to pay her an undisclosed financial bonus for finishing third in 2012.
Montaño believes that some athletes competing at this year's Paris Olympics will suffer a similar fate to hers – potentially being robbed of their moment on the podium and in the spotlight. She advocates for harsher punishments for athletes found guilty of doping offenses, including heavier fines and a more difficult pathway for re-entering the sport.
Despite the challenges and frustrations she has faced, Montaño's love for running remains strong. She still enjoys heading out on the roads and trails and believes that the sport provides a powerful, positive influence. As she looks forward to receiving her Olympic medal, she hopes that it will bring closure and a sense of finally turning the page on a difficult chapter in her life.
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