Alexis Holmes advances to 400-meter finals at the Olympics

What a day for Kentucky Track. Each of the former Cats in action today in Paris — and a future Cat — advanced in their events.

The latest is Alexis Holmes, who is moving on to her first Olympic final in the 400 meters. She qualified with a time of 50.00, finishing second in her heat and seventh overall.

Marileidy Paulino leaves ZERO doubt in the women’s 400m semis. 😳 #ParisOlympics

American Alexis Holmes also advances to her first Olympic final.

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/dosRvqU7oi

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024

The top eight times in the 400m finals are only 1.09 seconds apart, setting up a wild final on Friday. Holmes will be Team USA’s only representative. As you can see in the pics below, her nails are ready for it.

Women’s 400m Standings After Semifinals

Rank	NOC	Name	Heat	Result
1	BRN	Salwa Eid NASER	1	49.08
2	DOM	Marileidy PAULINO	2	49.21
3	POL	Natalia KACZMAREK	3	49.45
4	GBR	Amber ANNING	3	49.47
5	BAR	Sada WILLIAMS	3	49.89
6	IRL	Rhasidat ADELEKE	1	49.95
7	USA	Alexis HOLMES	2	50.00
8	NOR	Henriette JAEGER	1	50.17

Big Day for Kentucky Track

Holmes is the sixth Wildcat to advance today. This morning, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR), Masai Russell (USA), and Devynne Charlton (Bahamas) moved on to the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles. Earlier this afternoon, Daniel Roberts (USA) finished third in the 110-meter hurdles semifinals, advancing to tomorrow’s finals, which will take place 20 minutes after Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone runs for gold in the 400-meter hurdles.

Even a future Cat is making waves in Paris. Tapiwanashe Makarawu, an incoming transfer from New Mexico Junior College, advanced to the finals of the 200 meters, placing seventh overall with a time of 20.16 seconds. This is the Zimbabwean national record holder’s first Olympics. He’ll run for gold tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. ET.

ANOTHER FINALS TICKET PUNCHED 🎟️

Incoming Wildcat and first-time Olympian Tapiwanashe Makarawu 🇿🇼 advances to the final in the 200m and will race for 🥇 tomorrow!

7. Makarawu – 20.16 q #UKTF x #OlympiansMadeHere | 📸 @gettyimages pic.twitter.com/Ta4wzG3TSt

— UK Track & Field (@KentuckyTrack) August 7, 2024

Cats in Paris Schedule

So far, two former Kentucky Wildcats have medaled at the Olympics: Lee Kiefer (fencing) and Rhyne Howard (3×3 basketball). With former Cats favored in several events, that medal count will certainly grow in the coming days. Here is the entire Cats in Paris schedule:

Wednesday, August 7

• TRACK & FIELD — 4:15 AM: Women’s 100mH Round 1 (Masai Russell, USA — 12.53, QUALIFIED; Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico — 12.42, QUALIFIED; Devynne Charlton, Bahamas — 12.71, QUALIFIED)
• DIVING — 9:00 AM: Women’s 3m Springboard Preliminary (Julia Vincent, South Africa — QUALIFIED); E!, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 1:05 PM: Men’s 110mH Semifinal (Daniel Roberts, USA — 13.10, QUALIFIED); NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 2:45 PM: Women’s 400m Semifinal (Alexis Holmes, USA — 50.00, QUALIFIED); USA, Peacock
• WOMEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — 3:30 PM: Nigeria (Adebola Adeyeye) vs. USA; Quarterfinals; USA, Peacock

Thursday, August 8

• DIVING — 4:00 AM: Women’s 3m Springboard Semifinal (Julia Vincent, South Africa); E!; Peacock
• WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL — 10:00 AM: United States (Avery Skinner) vs. Brazil; Semifinals; NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 2:30 PM: Men’s 200m Final (Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Zimbabwe); NBC, Peacock
• MEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — 3:00 PM: USA (Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis) vs. Serbia vs. Serbia; Semifinals; NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 3:25 PM: Women’s 400mH Final (Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, USA); NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 3:45 PM: Men’s 110mH Final (Daniel Roberts, USA); NBC, Peacock

Friday, August 9

• TRACK & FIELD — 4:40 AM: Women’s 4x400m Relay Round 1 (Alexis Holmes, USA); USA, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 6:05 AM: Women’s 100mH Semifinal (Masai Russell, USA; Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico; Devynne Charlton, Bahamas); USA, Peacock
• DIVING — 9:00 AM: Women’s 3m Springboard Final (Julia Vincent, South Africa); NBC, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 2:00 PM: Women’s 400m Final (Alexis Holmes, USA); NBC, Peacock
• WOMEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — Semifinals

Saturday, August 10

• TRACK & FIELD — 1:45 PM: Women’s 100mH Final (Masai Russell, USA; Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Puerto Rico; Devynne Charlton, Bahamas); USA, Peacock
• TRACK & FIELD — 3:22 PM: Women’s 4x400m Relay Final (Alexis Holmes, USA); NBC, Peacock
• MEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — Bronze and Gold Medal Games
• WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL — Bronze Medal Match

Sunday, August 11

• WOMEN’S 5×5 BASKETBALL — Bronze and Gold Medal Games
• WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL — Gold Medal Match