SAINT-DENIS, France -- This time at the Olympics, hammer thrower Annette Nneka Echikunwoke got to compete. Not only compete, but win a medal -- for the United States.
Three years ago, Echikunwoke arrived at the Tokyo Games ready to represent Nigeria, but she wound up needing to leave before even getting to take a throw. Nigeria was among a handful of countries deemed "high risk" by track's anti-doping regulators in the lead-up to those Olympics, forcing its athletes to be subjected to more drug testing.
Echikunwoke was among those from Nigeria who did not meet the requirement and so was not allowed to participate.
The 28-year-old was born in Ohio and originally decided to represent Nigeria because that's where her parents are from. But after the issues in 2021, she switched her Olympic country to the U.S., and on Tuesday night became the first American woman to earn a Summer Games medal in the hammer, getting a silver. Canada's Camryn Rogers won the gold.
Echikunwoke led after the third round Tuesday with a throw of 75.48 meters (247 feet, 7 inches). Rogers, though, threw the hammer 76.97 (252-6) on her second-to-last attempt to overtake her. The bronze went to Zhao Jie of China.
"I think [this medal] could have happened three years ago, but I'm happy it's happening now," Echikunwoke said. "I feel like everything happens for a reason, even if it's bad or good or ugly or whatever the case may be. This is beautiful."
She said she remembers that time in Tokyo so vividly, including not being able to walk in the opening ceremony.
"Not the best feeling, as you could imagine," said Echikunwoke, who went to the University of Cincinnati.
Echikunwoke's application to change what country she would compete for finally came through at the last minute before the U.S. nationals in 2022, and she earned a spot for the world championships that year.
Now, she's an Olympic medalist for the United States.
"It doesn't feel real right now," she said. "I can't really put it into words."
McLaughlin-Levrone, Bol set to clash
The next meeting in another of track's best rivalries -- this one between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol -- will come in the Olympic final.
The two best at the 400-meter hurdles won their semifinals easily.
McLaughlin-Levrone, who clipped a hurdle in her opening round, went cleanly around the track this time and finished in 52.13. Bol did the lap in 52.57.
The two have faced off only twice. McLaughlin set world records at both races, with Bol finishing third at the last Olympics and second at the 2022 world championships.
"Iron sharpens iron," McLaughlin said. "It's always fun racing the best, and I know we're going to push each other."
James runs best time in men's 400 semis
Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champion, had the best time in the men's 400-meter semifinals, winning his heat in 43.78.
The runners with the two best times this year, America's Quincy Hall and Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith, won their semifinals and will be joined by American Michael Norman to set up one of the more wide-open finals.
Defending champion Steven Gardiner, struggling with injuries this year, pulled out before the first round.
Greece's Tentoglou wins long jump
Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece won his second gold in a row in a men's long jump final that was missing an American for only the second time in a non-boycott Games since the Summer Olympics started in 1896.
Yavi stuns Chemutai in steeplechase
Bahrain's Winfred Yavi won the women's Olympic 3,000-meter steeplechase gold medal on Tuesday, dethroning Uganda's Peruth Chemutai, who had to settle for silver. Chemutai was in shock after Yavi, 24, stole the finish to add the Olympic title to last year's world championship, setting an Olympic record time of 8 minutes 52.76 seconds.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.