SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — The crowd packed the stadium session after session, day after day, and roared for medal winners from everywhere else. They roared for a steeplechaser's proposal and even for a swimmer.
Finally, though, the fans at Stade de France had a reason to erupt for a home-country athlete on the purple track. On Saturday, France won its first track Olympic medal— a silver in the women's 100-meter hurdles from Cyrena Samba-Mayela. The noise made it sound as good as gold.
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Women's 100-meter hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell, centre, of the United States, stands with silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, left, of France, and bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Women's 100-meter hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell, centre, of the United States, silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, left, of France, and bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, pose for a selfie on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Gold medalist Masai Russell, of the United States, left, and silver medalist Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, wait for the official results after finishing in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, reacts after winning the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Masai Russell, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Women's 100-meter hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell, centre, of the United States, stands with silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, left, of France, and bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Women's 100-meter hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell, centre, of the United States, silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, left, of France, and bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, pose for a selfie on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, poses after winning the silver medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, poses after winning the silver medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, gets a US flag from a friend as she celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, reacts after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, smiles after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cyréna Samba-Mayela , of France, reacts after finishing second in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell (5), of the United States, wins the women's 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Gold medalist Masai Russell, of the United States, left, and silver medalist Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, wait for the official results after finishing in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
On the last night of action at the track, American Masai Russell ran 12.33 seconds to hold off Samba-Mayela by 0.01 seconds. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the defending Olympic champion from Puerto Rico, earned the bronze.
It was hard to tell who won at the end by the chants of “Allez Les Bleus” — “Let’s go Blue!” — that filled the air. All the cheers certainly struck Samba-Mayela.
“I was lifted by all these people," she said. “Just a lot of amazing emotions.”
Samba-Mayela became the first French woman to win an Olympic medal in track since 2004. It came after a few close calls, with Clement Ducos (400 hurdles) and Alice Finot (steeplechase) each taking fourth. Finot had a viral moment, though, when she proposed to her boyfriend at the track.
The biggest cheer for a French athlete may have been for swimmer, Léon Marchand, who won a gold medal in the pool on the opening night of the track meet while many in the stands watched him on their phones or tablets.
Samba-Mayela sent them home with a sweet memory.
“I could hear them all screaming my name and ‘Allez Les Bleus.’ It was amazing," Samba-Mayela said. ”It was really lifting me."
Camacho-Quinn, who trains with Samba-Mayela, said she almost had a false start out of the blocks to start the race. That, in her estimation, cost her a chance to win back-to-back Olympic titles.
“Little things like that matter, especially in this type of race,” Camacho-Quinn said.
It opened the door for Russell, who leaned at the finish line to take the win.
“I just want every young girl to understand and know that if you believe in yourself, if you can see the work, day in and day out, there’s nothing that’s impossible for you,” Russell said. “I always tell myself that it’s possible. Can’t no-one take it away from you. This moment today was meant for me. So whatever moment that’s out there that’s meant for them, take advantage of the moment and the opportunity, because it’s meant for you.”
At the beginning of the season, Russell wrote down a list of goals she wanted to accomplish. On there — win an Olympic title.
She can check that one off.
“It was just about remaining focused on what I could do — and honestly, just get over those hurdles and get to the line first,” Russell said.
This will definitely make for great media content for Russell, who, when she's not hurdling, is a social influencer with around a million followers across all her platforms.
“I couldn’t even sleep last night I was tossing and turning. I don’t even know how many hours of sleep I got, because I was just thinking about it,” Russell said of winning a medal. “I was dreaming about it. The fact that it actually happens has meant the world.”
Russell treated herself to a Mercedes for making it to Paris.
Her reward for winning gold?
“Probably a house,” Russell said with a laugh.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Masai Russell, of the United States, reacts after winning the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Masai Russell, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Women's 100-meter hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell, centre, of the United States, stands with silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, left, of France, and bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Women's 100-meter hurdles gold medalist Masai Russell, centre, of the United States, silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, left, of France, and bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, pose for a selfie on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, poses after winning the silver medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, poses after winning the silver medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, gets a US flag from a friend as she celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, reacts after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell, of the United States, smiles after winning the gold medal in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cyréna Samba-Mayela , of France, reacts after finishing second in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Masai Russell (5), of the United States, wins the women's 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Gold medalist Masai Russell, of the United States, left, and silver medalist Cyréna Samba-Mayela, of France, wait for the official results after finishing in the women's 100 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
BANGKOK (AP) — It's a big day for LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand.
On Thursday, they gained the legal right to register their marriages, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia to recognize same-sex unions, after Taiwan and Nepal. In central Bangkok, a popular shopping mall held a daylong gala to help accommodate the hundreds of same-sex couples who wanted to register their marriages on the very first day.
Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society has broadly conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life, while also saying they've seen great improvement in recent years.
The marriage equality bill was officially written into law on Sept. 24, after it was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The government led by the Pheu Thai party made marriage equality one of its main goals after coming to power in 2023. It had a major presence at the annual Bangkok Pride parade in June, with thousands of people celebrating in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts.
The Associated Press spoke with seven same-sex couples in the days before the law took effect:
“This law doesn’t only equate life. It is life! At long last, Thailand’s society accepts the legality of all marriages in our land, regardless of sexual orientation. With that one sentence, lost or wasted lives have been rescued. Spirits restored. The whole country is better off.” — Jakrapob Penkair
“The marriage equality law will bring about a multitude of positive outcomes, especially by providing greater security and legal assurances for our relationships, including better access to health care and other protections. I’m truly happy this day has finally become a reality,” — Prorawin Battemdee
“The enforcement of the marriage equality law is proof that regardless of our gender, we all share the same basic human rights in every aspect under Thai law. It also paves the way for other countries in Asia, highlighting the importance of recognizing each other’s human values and enabling everyone to live.” — Kullayahnut Akkharasretthabudh
“This law will grant both of us the right to take care of each other, legally sign consent for the other’s medical treatment, and provide each other with lifelong security. When one of us dies, the law will ensure that our bond is recognized and protected.” — Chantamas Hemapanpairo
"We’re quite fortunate. We have a supportive social circle, friends, and family who accept us for who we are and accept the person we love. Marriage, it seems, isn’t everything that fulfills us emotionally. “However, ultimately, we believe that as two human beings, we should be granted the same basic legal rights as heterosexual couples. We are a complete family in spirit, but legal recognition would alleviate our future anxieties. In the end, we aren’t asking for anything special — we just want a simple, happy family life.” — Patherine Khunnares
“Before the marriage equality bill became law, I personally felt that I could only use the word ‘partner.’ But from now on, it’s ‘family.’ — Jutarat Chuenpae
“The marriage equality law allows everyone’s lives to complete each other without any further discrimination.” — Panuwat Srisawat
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FILE - Participants hold a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
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Nutanong sopon, 43, left, and Jutarat chuenpae, 37, both business owners, hold hands and jump for a photograph in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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