3X NCAA Decathlon Champion Gets Backing From Nike on His Path to Paris Olympics 2024

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican Track and field star, Ayden Owens-Delerme, has climbed the NCAA championship podium thrice to establish his first steps in track and field. The Arkansas Razorbacks’ sprinter triumphed over hurdles, relays, and decathlons to ultimately make his way to the international stages. Having witnessed a steady ascent, Ayden is now eyeing the Paris Olympics 2024, finding staunch support along the way.

In 2022, Ayden Owens-Delerme placed 4th at the World Championships. The following year, he clinched a gold in the decathlon – second-ever for Puerto Rico – at the Central American and Caribbean Games. Having established that, the youngster looks forward to the road to Paris, thanks to the support he received from Nike.

A cherish on the path to attaining dreams

Ayden Owens-Delerme started off on the running track in Pittsburgh at age 12. His coach, Oronde Sharif, was quick to notice the versatility Ayden adorned, and hence, him into multi-event. Growing from there, the athlete excelled in his beloved arena and received recognition, and today, with a little backing from the prominent brand, he is all girded up for the road to Paris. “I am officially a Professional Nike Athlete! Thank you @Nike for the opportunity and for supporting me on my journey to the Paris Olympic Games. God is Good!” he wrote on X announcing the news.

As an athlete, Ayden Owens-Delerme has received financial support from Arkansas for travel and medical care. Moreover, as an international athlete, the track and field star received a hoard full of help from the Olympics Committee. Expressing his elation, he added, “Now that I’m competing internationally, there’s support from the Olympic Committee and things that ensure their athletes are able to compete at the highest level. I’m pretty blessed to be in this position to have people helping me succeed to the best of my ability.”

The Puerto Rican even launched his platform DapUp last year, in hopes of helping student-athletes with NIL deals. Today grateful for the help along the way for the Paris Olympics 2024, the 23-year-old is gearing up.

Preparations in place for Paris Olympics 2024

Ayden Owens-Delerme has often expressed his dream of attaining world titles and making it to the Olympic stage. Finding his firm ground for the past two years, Paris Olympics 2024 has been the sole sight for the decathlete. In November last year, he moved to Puerto Rico to focus on his training to the ultimate goal. He got along with his new coach, Lawrence “LoJo” Johnson, an Olympic medalist as an initial step in the process.

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Though he grew up in the States, Ayden Owens-Delerme had always known his future would mean representing Puerto Rico as iterated by his family. He takes pride in being given the opportunity as he continues down the path. Whatever the result, Paris Olympics 2024 or not, Owens-Delerme has learnt to “fall in love with the process”. 

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