Cardozo Alumna Dalilah Muhammad Awarded Keys To Queens

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Olympian Dalilah Muhammad was awarded a key to her home borough of Queens and a day in her honor on Friday.

Muhammad, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who broke the world record in the 400 meter hurdle at this year’s Olympic games, was recognized for being a champion of Queens alongside East Elmhurst’s Tina Charles, an award-winning Olympic basketball player.

“Dalilah Muhammad and Tina Charles are more than just legendary athletes and Olympic champions. They are role models and inspirations to the countless young people of our borough,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards at Friday’s ceremony, which was held at Queens Borough Hall in front of local leaders as well as students from Muhammad’s alma mater, Bayside’s Cardozo High School.

Both athletes were given official keys to the borough, and Richards declared Oct. 1 as “Dalilah Muhammad Day” and “Tina Charles Day” in Queens.

The recognition comes about two months after Muhammad competed in Tokyo, where she won gold as part of Team USA’s 4x400-meter relay team, and took home a silver medal in the 400 meter hurdle Olympic event.

While Muhammad didn’t defend her gold title in the hurdle event, coming in seconds behind her teammate Sydney McLaughlin, she still broke a world record and overcame many setbacks to get silver.

This spring, the Queens athlete, who grew up in Rochdale Village and attended high school in Bayside, suffered a hamstring injury and a fight against the coronavirus.

"I had to really push through [those setbacks]," she told Today after this year’s Olympic contest. She added that the challenges she’s faced during the past year "made me work harder. In the moment it was difficult, but looking back I think it was what I needed to really step up today."

And, this isn't the last that we'll see of Muhammad. She told Today that she plans to run a couple more races this year, and is looking forward to the 2022 World Championships, slated for next summer in Oregon.

"We talk so much about being at the pinnacle of your career. For me, it doesn't feel like the top. For me, it just feels like it's part of the journey, and the journey is not over yet," she told the New York Times.

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