Lauren Hoffman recalibrates after disappointing World Indoor tilt experience

By Brian Yalung

Beyond the Game Column

Lauren Hoffman admitted that she was pretty enthusiastic when she found out she would represent the Philippines at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland earlier this March.

As most know, the 24-year-old Filipino-American fell short of advancing to the semifinals of the women’s 400 meters after clocking 54.66 seconds she was good for fifth in her heats and 21st overall in the 24-player race where the Top 12 athletes will earn slots to the next round.

In a personal one-on-one, Lauren admitted that her performance hit her hard, comparing her time with the rest of the field.

“I did not qualify for worlds based on time. I think you need to run 51, 52 [seconds] to qualify for worlds and I didn’t have that. That kind of made me feel that I didn’t deserve to be there because a lot of girls there were running 50 point, 51, 52 [seconds],” Hoffman said.

It came to a point where she needed the right person to get her back to her senses. That turned out to be her coach who encouraged her to look at the results differently.

“So I was told, I got a call that I hadn’t been able to go to worlds. My initial reaction was to talk to my coach. So I talked to my coach and I kinda asked him, ‘Was it even worth it to come here to last?’” Hoffman started.

“He said, ‘Just because you feel that way doesn’t mean you can pass up on this opportunity.’ And I needed someone to tell me that. So it was just like putting back that sense in me, I feel fear was the first initial reaction. But after talking to my coach, I was feeling better about it and I was feeling grateful for this opportunity. So I decided to accept the challenge and go out there, and run an event that’s not really my own on the world stage. So I’m very proud have done that. I’m proud to represent the Philippines in the world stage,” the Filipina sprinter added.

Lauren admitted that it reached a point where she doubted herself. But thanks to the words of her coach, Hoffman realized that there are other bright things to consider.

“I mean it happens I feel like athletes are confident most of the time. But there are times where you doubt yourself. But I think that’s okay. That’s a real emotion for humans. It happens,” the Filipina hurdler quipped.

Back issue

Hoffman admits that she had a lingering back problem before the indoor championships. However, she stressed that this was not an excuse for her failure to advance to the next stage.

“I had a lingering back problem. I tweaked my back the same week I was told I was going. But it wasn’t really enough to underperform. I think athletes are never going to feel perfect, a 100% perfect. So you just have to deal with the little things,” the Duke University product stated.

Hoffman, only Asian at the Indoor Championships

One thing that many may fail to consider is that Lauren Hoffman was the only Asian at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.

Although she fell short of her target, the fact that she made it that far should serve as an inspiration to other Filipino and Asian athletes to try and reach the stage she

“I didn’t see any other Asian athletes. I don’t know if maybe indoors doesn’t prioritize Asian countries but to be the one Filipina athlete there, the one Asian athlete there... I hope I at least got to inspire someone else that kind of wants to go in a field. I feel it was important to be that representation,” Hoffman ended.

Life goes on for Hoffman, admitting that she will be back training once more. She will be headed back to the country in May to participate in the Philippine National Games.