FILIPINO-AMERICAN athlete Laura Hoffman, who recently qualified for the athletics event at the Paris Olympics, attributes her passion, drive, and competitive spirit to her parents.
“Thank you to my mom, an incredible role model and the most selfless person I know. I am so grateful for all her work behind the scenes,” she said in a recent post honoring her parents, Laura and Jason.
“Thank you to my family for so much love and support since I began running. Shoutout to Dad for running my first race (a 5k, lol) with me. Thank you to Sean for always believing in me,” Hoffman added.
Hoffman earned her spot at the Olympics based on her world ranking. As a dual citizen, she is eligible to represent the Philippines because her mother, Laura, is a Filipino who hails from Puerto Galera in Mindoro.
A standout at Duke University, Hoffman secured her Olympic berth by finishing 39th in the women’s 400m hurdles world rankings, where the top 40 athletes advanced to the Paris Games.
Her teammate, John Cabang Tolentino, also qualified by ranking 30th in the men’s 110m hurdles, where the top 40 similarly advanced to the Olympics.
Hoffman and Cabang join pole vaulter Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena as the Philippines’ representatives in athletics for the Paris Games, which begin on July 26.
“I qualified for the Olympics,” Hoffman wrote. “It still feels so crazy to say that. It is such an honor to join my kababayan (compatriots) and represent the Philippines at the upcoming Olympic Games. Feeling beyond blessed.”
