DEKALB, Illinois – Lorena Martin, a member of the Northern Illinois University women’s track and field team from 2014 to 2018, will represent Spain in the 800 meters at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Martin ran a personal best of 2:00.33 at a competition in Madrid in June to achieve the qualifying time standard for the Olympic Games. This is the fourth time she has represented Spain at an international championship, as she also competed at the 2023 World Championships in Athletics in Budapest, Hungary, and the 2022 and 2024 World Indoor Championships in Athletics.

“I’m super excited to have this opportunity of a lifetime,” Martin said. “I’ve been running since I was 13 and it’s been so rewarding to take every step to get here. From high school, through my time in college at NIU, to my professional career now, I think I’ve grown so much as an athlete and as a person. I still say the best opportunity I’ve ever gotten out of running was going to college at NIU and that’s shaped everything I’ve done since, so I’m forever grateful to be a Huskie.”

During her career at NIU, Martin won the 800 meters at the 2017 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships with the third-fastest time in program history. Martin was a 2017 NCAA West Preliminary qualifier in the 800 meters, was also a member of NIU’s school-record-setting distance medley relay team, and was a seven-time Academic All-MAC honoree.

NIU Director of Athletics Connie TeaberryAn Olympian herself who represented the U.S. team in the high jump at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Martin is thrilled that she has achieved her Olympic dream.

“Lorena Martin has been an athlete with goals and aspirations to be great since day one when she stepped on campus,” Teaberry said. “She has worked extremely hard and persevered through injuries and mental setbacks to stay focused, but never lose sight of the bigger picture. That relentless attitude has now earned her the opportunity to compete in the Olympics.

“This is an exclamation point for the dedication Lorena has given to her athletic career. I am so proud to call Lorena a Huskie and now she is a member of the Olympic club! ‘Huskie, MAC Champion and Olympian’ sounds amazing and I can’t wait to see her compete!”

The 2024 Summer Olympics begin on Friday, July 26, with the athletics competition beginning on Thursday, August 1. The opening round of the women’s 800 meters is scheduled for Friday, August 2.