Natasha Hastings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Natasha Hastings

Hastings at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships
Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1986-07-23) July 23, 1986 (age 39) Brooklyn, New York
Residence	Locust Grove, Georgia
Height	5 ft 8 in
Weight	135 lb
Sport
Sport	Running
Event(s)	100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres
College team	University of South Carolina
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 m: 11.24 s (Walnut, CA 2013) 200 m: 22.57 s (Nassau 2016) 400 m: 49.84 s (Indianapolis 2007)
Medal record Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4 × 400 m relay World Championships Gold 2007 Osaka 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2009 Berlin 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2011 Daegu 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2013 Moscow 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2017 London 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2015 Beijing 4 × 400 m relay World Indoor Championships Gold 2010 Doha 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2014 Sopot 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2016 Portland 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2012 Istanbul 4 × 400 m relay Bronze 2012 Istanbul 400 m World Relay Championships Gold 2014 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2015 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2017 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay World Junior Championships Gold 2004 Grosseto 400 m Gold 2004 Grosseto 4 × 400 m relay Pan American Junior Championships Gold 2003 Bridgetown 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2005 Windsor 400 m Gold 2005 Windsor 4 × 400 m relay World Youth Championships Gold 2003 Sherbrooke 400 m Gold 2003 Sherbrooke Medley relay

Natasha Monique Hastings is a famous American track and field athlete. She was born on July 23, 1986. Natasha is known for her amazing speed in the 400 metres sprint. She has won many medals throughout her career. Natasha officially retired from the sport at the end of 2022.

Natasha's Sprinting Journey

Natasha Hastings started her running career when she was very young. She quickly showed her talent. One of her first big wins was at the USATF Junior Olympics. She took first place in the 400 metres race.

High School and College Years

Natasha went to A. Philip Randolph Campus High School in Harlem, New York. There, she was able to compete in track and field at a higher level. After high school, she attended the University of South Carolina. She trained under coach Curtis Frye.

At the university, Natasha became known as "the 400M Diva." This nickname came about when she jokingly called her team the "Gamecock Divas." The Gamecock is the school's mascot.

Breakthrough in 2007

The year 2007 was a very important one for Natasha. She had recovered from an injury and was ready to shine. She won the 400 metres race at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Her time of 51.70 seconds was a personal best for her then. She also helped her team win the 4 × 400 metres relay.

Later in 2007, she won the SEC Championships. She ran the 400 metres in 50.84 seconds. Natasha then went on to win the NCAA Championship title. Her time of 50.15 seconds in the 400 metres was one of the fastest ever in college history. She was undefeated that season, winning both indoor and outdoor 400 metres championships.

Olympic and World Championship Success

In 2008, when Natasha was 22, she joined the USA Olympic Track and Field Team. She earned a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the Women's 4 × 400 metres relay. She ran a fast 49.97-second leg in the qualifying race. Even though she was replaced in the final race, athletes who run in the heats for medal-winning teams also receive a medal.

World Championships Highlights

• 2013 Moscow: Natasha won the USATF 400 metres outdoor title. She ran it in 49.94 seconds. This earned her a spot on the US team for the 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow. She finished fourth in the individual 400 metres race.
• 2015 Beijing: She competed at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing. She did not reach the final in the individual 400 metres. However, she helped the women's 4 × 400 metres relay team win a silver medal.
• 2016 Rio Olympics: Natasha qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. She finished third in the US trials for the 400 metres. In Rio, she placed fourth in the 400 metres final.
• 2017 London: She won the 400 metres at the Golden Gala meet in Rome. She also ran a season's best time of 50.14 seconds at the 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Life Outside the Track

Natasha Hastings shares parts of her life on her YouTube channel. She posts videos showing her races, workouts, and how she gets ready for competitions. She also has a video series called "Tea Time." In these videos, she talks about different topics with friends and other athletes.

Natasha has a son. She is also the cousin of former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. Her mother, Joanne, was a top junior sprinter in the United Kingdom before moving to the USA.

See also

In Spanish: Natasha Hastings para niños