Rai Benjamin was a fan favorite going into the Paris Olympics, as he was set to participate in the men’s 400mH and 4x400m relays. In both of the competitions, the American athlete was able to prevail over every obstacle out there, and with two terrific performances, he claimed gold. He has always acknowledged the efforts that he has put into the track but also has appreciated the support and training he has received from his coach, Joanna Hayes. 

Recently, both of their efforts were granted another accolade, as, in an unexpected turn of events, Hayes has secured the 2024 USATF Coach of the Year award. This update was enough to surprise a ton of people in the track and field community, as out of all the gold medalists of Team USA, the award went to Benjamin’s coach. However, there’s much more than to be surprised by.

The acknowledgment of coaching excellence

In every sport, whether it be track and field or not, coaches play a crucial role in an athlete’s life, as they maximize them to push further beyond their existing limits, which would set them up for many major accolades. However, when these athletes get a lot of recognition from fans, coaches often miss out on this, but there are many track stars like Rai Benjamin, who have always credited their coaches for their achievements in their stellar careers.

The American athlete was guided by his coach, Joanna Hayes, throughout the 2024 season, and they were able to achieve success the moment Benjamin jumped over the final hurdle and ran to the finish in the men’s 400mH at the Stade de France. While the hurdler received his Olympic crown, Hayes’ coaching excellence will be eventually honored at the USATF Annual Meeting on December 7 in Orlando, Florida, as reported by Citius Mag on X.

Hayes surely has played a crucial role in the development of Benjamin towards that gleaming gold medal, but she was also engaged in supporting a young athlete in her growing career. And who is that? Jasmine Jones, like Benjamin, secured her glory in the NCAA, winning the 400mH title. Furthermore, she also qualified for the Paris Olympics and placed fourth in the finals, making her a prodigy trying to make a mark in the sport. Both of these excellent athletes were guided by Hayes, and the award is likely deserved.

For many in the community, Hayes winning the accolade was surprising. Even though Benjamin did put in one of the best performances in his entire track and field career in Paris, there were other athletes like Noah Lyles, Gabby Thomas, Grant Holloway, and more whose coaches were also as much involved with their success as she was with her pupil. Apart from just her coaching excellence, Hayes was a one-of-a-kind athlete during her time competing professionally in the sport.

Track achievements of Rai Benjamin’s coach

“Coaches don’t play,” the popular phrase read, but Joanna Hayes certainly played in a ton of track and field events back in her day. The rise of the American athlete was at the 1999 Summer Universiade, where she secured a silver medal with a career-best time of 54.57 seconds. The performance gave her a foundation, and later on in the sport, she achieved a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Championships in the women’s 400mH.

She grew stronger as an athlete in the year 2004, when the track and field community saw her becoming the 2004 Olympic champion in women’s 100mH. This was the career-first Olympic medal for the athlete, and that too was the gleaming gold that a lot of athletes eyed for. After gaining the status of an Olympic gold medalist, she was a favorite in the 2005 World Championships, and even though she did reach the finals, she stumbled upon a hurdle and failed to gain any medal in the race. 

Furthermore, Hayes finished third at the World Athletics Final in the same season. The athlete competed in various events until an injury prevented her from qualifying for the Olympic Games in 2008. Eventually, the athlete turned into a coach, and before Benjamin had coached one of the most renowned athletes of track and field, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Hayes specialized in the 400mH, and athletes under her wing have been a lot successful in the sport.