But 2024 has been, undeniably, Browns breakout year.
Now that Brown has made it to the podium, shes clearly overdue for some fanfare.
Read on to learn more about the rising track star, and join us in getting loud about Brown.
Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images/Amanda K Bailey
She had an unlikely road to success in the sport.
By then, shed certainly distinguished herself as good, but it wasnt totally obvious how great shed become.
No one saw all this at a young age, shetoldCitius Mag.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
I just worked my ass off to get here.
I worked hard to get here despite a lot of things I dealt with.
Brown just made University of Iowa history.
Tim Clayton - Corbis/Getty Images
I was like, Okay, Im low-key good, she wrote in January of this year.
These uncertain beginnings make it even more impressive to see how shes found her stride.
She has endometriosis and is an advocate for other women with the condition.
She told Endo Black that she wants others to know: You are not crazy.
What you are feeling is real.
Your body is talking to you.
And I resonate with them because I am one of them.
And so this is not for me, its for all the people who support me.
She was previously a caregiver for people with dementia.
She said that she was inspired to get into this field after witnessing one of her grandmothers experience dementia.
I may be fast on the track, but away from it I prefer it slow.
Shes had several serious injuries in the past couple years.
A rash of injuries made a rise to the podium for Brown seem even more unlikely.
Clearly, it paid off.
Michael Phelps is her longtime inspiration.
Talk about full circle!
Thats what I want to be.
I want to say Im doing something and I want to be able to accomplish it.
And now it looks like shes well on her way to exactly that.
(Will the two athletes have a chance to meet up in Paris?
Well have to wait and see.)
SELF is your one-click source for all things Summer Olympics.
Read our latest coverage of the Paris Gameshere.
Related:
Get more of SELF’s great sports coverage delivered right to your inbox.
