Dreams can come true in the weirdest of manners. Even when it looks like all the chips are down. And who better than the US long-distance runner, Shannon Rowbury knows this feeling at the moment. While Rowbury got her dreams dashed initially, 12 years later, she is shaking. According to the recent announcement from the Athletics Integrity Unit, Russian athlete Tatyana Tamashova has been officially disqualified.

This means her 1500m silver medal will also be taken away and reallocated. According to the latest updates, bronze medalist Abeba Aregawi will be awarded the silver medal. As for Rowbury, she will be upgraded to a bronze medal — a feat she has waited 12 long years to achieve. Understandably, the news overwhelmed Rowbury, leaving her overcome with emotions.

After reading the verdict initially, Rowbury could not believe her eyes. She immediately started shaking as she felt a “release of 12 years of pain” and a “dream come true.” Speaking to CNN Sport, Rowbury further stated, “Athletes in our position are very much in the dark… It’s super emotional because you’re hopeful that, after this thing that you have sort of suspected for so long, justice might actually be coming … After 12 years, I had kind of given up hope that it would ever happen.”

Well, going back to early September 2024, the Court Of Arbitration for Sports came up with a shocking report. They stated that while retesting Tatyana Tamashova’s samples collected between June and July 2012, all of them returned positive for anabolic steroids. Although Tamashova has denied using any banned substances, the Russian athlete was handed a 10-year ban by the CAS.

Although the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to make the medal reallocation official, Tatyana Tomashova had until October 3 to appeal the ruling. With that deadline now passed, it is only a matter of time before Shannon Rowbury is officially crowned an Olympic medalist. Once the medal is awarded, Rowbury will make history as the first female athlete from the United States to win an Olympic medal in the 1500m discipline. Despite waiting 12 years for justice, Rowbury had long been aware of the underlying truth behind the race’s controversies. And it made her heartbroken. 

Shannon Rowbury opens up about her somber realization 

The women’s 1500m final at the 2012 Olympics is often referred to as one of the dirtiest races in history. Apart from Tatyana Tomashova, several other athletes have faced similar consequences. In fact, out of the 13 participants, five have been disqualified from their original standings. Shockingly, Shannon Rowbury suspected the widespread misconduct long before it was officially confirmed.

Opening up about what pained her the most, Rowbury stated that the dirty tactics that existed made her significantly frustrated. Recalling the dark days of the past, Rowbury stated, “It’s just been the most heartbreaking part… It was the thing that broke me about running, the doping in sport … In these races, it’s not just physical, it’s like we give, at least for me, the depth of my being, my soul. I’m trying to give everything I can to bring home that result that will make everyone proud.” Thus, having lived with never-ending pain, the ultimate taste of justice will surely be cherished by the Olympian for a long time in the future.