Genevieve Gregson facts for kids
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Gregson in 2019
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Greg |
| Born | 4 August 1989 Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |
| Education | University of Florida |
| Height | 1.68 m |
| Weight | 54 kg (2018) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | 3000 metres steeplechase 1500 metres Marathon |
| College team | Florida Gators |
| Coached by | Nic Bideau |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Olympic finals |
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| Personal best(s) |
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Genevieve Gregson (born LaCaze; 4 August 1989) is an Australian athlete. She used to specialize in the 3000 metre steeplechase race. For the 2024 Olympics, she ran for Australia in the marathon.
She competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which happened in 2021). She ran in the Women's 3000m steeplechase heat and made it to the final. Sadly, she fell during the final race. She injured her Achilles tendon and could not finish.
Genevieve holds the Australian and Oceanian record for the 3000m steeplechase. Her best time is 9 minutes and 14.28 seconds. She received an athletics scholarship to study at the University of Florida. She was chosen to represent Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She also competed at the Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
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About Genevieve Gregson
Genevieve LaCaze-Gregson's nickname is Greg. She grew up in Brisbane, Australia. She went to Tamborine Mountain State School. Later, she attended John Paul College in Daisy Hill.
She studied Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Florida. She lived in the United States for some time. Genevieve is 1.68 meters (about 5 feet 6 inches) tall.
Her Athletics Journey
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Genevieve competes in the 3000 metres steeplechase and the 1500 metres races. She started running when she was nine years old. In the United States, her coach was Paul Spangler. In Australia, David Howells coached her. She has also been coached by Todd Morgan and Nic Bideau.
In 2012, Genevieve finished second in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Melbourne Track Classic. She won first place in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Indianapolis American Milers Club. She also won the 1500 metres race there.
University Athletics
Genevieve received a scholarship to the University of Florida. She studied Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. She competed for the Florida Gators cross country and Florida Gators track and field teams. These teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
She competed in university events like the Mountain Dew Invitational. In 2011, she finished fifth in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships. In 2012, she placed second in the same event.
2012 London Olympics
Genevieve achieved an Olympic qualifying time for the 2012 London Games. However, she did it two days after the deadline set by Athletics Australia. She set this time at a race in Indianapolis. She explained that her university schedule made it hard to qualify earlier.
When news broke about her late qualification, many people supported her. Hashtags like #letlacazerun and #genlacaze trended on Twitter. People wanted her to represent Australia. No other Australian athlete had qualified for the 3000m steeplechase.
Eventually, Genevieve was chosen for the Australian team. The President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, helped her get included. Before his support, some officials thought she should not go.
Genevieve was Australia's only female runner in the 3000 metre steeplechase event. The London Games were her first Olympics. She did not reach the final but improved her personal best time.
2014 Commonwealth Games
Genevieve had a tough year in 2013. She broke her ankle at an event before the World Championships. This injury made her decide to move back to Melbourne, Australia. She joined the Melbourne Track Club. This allowed her to train with other top Australian distance runners. She also trained with coach Nic Bideau.
Genevieve recovered well and qualified for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She ran well in the race, staying with the lead group. She finished 5th, setting a new personal best time of 9 minutes and 37.04 seconds.
During the closing ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Genevieve famously joined Kylie Minogue on stage. She danced during Kylie's performance of 'The Loco-Motion'.
2016 Rio Olympics
Genevieve competed in the women's 3000 metres steeplechase final. She finished ninth with a personal best time of 9 minutes and 21.21 seconds. She also placed twelfth in the 1500 m race.
In 2017, she finished 12th in the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics. She had faced injuries leading up to this event. Because of her injuries, she only raced once before the World Championships.
2018 Commonwealth Games
Genevieve finished in 5th place at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. These games were held in her home region of the Gold Coast, Australia.
