Anna Cockrell Eyes Two Gold Medals at LA28 Olympics

Olympic silver medalist Anna Cockrell has set her sights on winning two gold medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, aiming for victories in the women's 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400 meter relay. The prospect of competing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue she frequented during her time as a USC track and field standout, holds significant personal meaning for her.

"Of course I want gold," Cockrell stated in an exclusive interview. "And on top of that, like, I want to be on the relay, too. So I got to get my flat 400 time down because I don’t want one, I want two. We’re trying to double up next time."

Cockrell, who won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a personal best of 51.87 seconds in the 400m hurdles, acknowledged the ambitious nature of her goal. Her journey back to Los Angeles for the Games is a narrative shaped by overcoming early ambivalence towards the sprawling city. Upon her arrival at USC a decade ago from North Carolina, the size of Los Angeles was initially intimidating.

"This is blasphemous to say now, but when I first arrived at USC, I didn’t love LA," Cockrell admitted. "Because LA is just so big."

However, she eventually found her place, forming friendships and a support system that made the city feel like home. During her collegiate career, she became one of USC's most decorated hurdlers, securing three individual NCAA championships, including a 2021 sweep of the 100m and 400m hurdles. Despite her successes, her college experience was also marked by significant losses and a timeline that deviated from her expectations.

These challenges, she explained, contributed to her development as an athlete. The possibility of competing in the Coliseum, where she once cheered for USC football games, represents a full-circle moment.

"I spent so many Saturdays at football games at the Coliseum," Cockrell said. "So to be able to run in the Coliseum, for them to bring a track back, would be full circle."

Cockrell also discussed her approach to competition, rejecting the notion that stoicism is the ideal. She embraces nervousness as a sign that the stakes matter.

"I am nervous for every single race that I run. To this day, I’ve never not been nervous," Cockrell said. "Stoicism sucks. Like, show that you care. Be cringy."

This philosophy extends to her training, where she emphasizes the importance of consistent, often unglamorous work. Following a back injury in 2025, Cockrell has prioritized recovery and preparation, incorporating deep-core exercises and diaphragmatic breathing into her routine. Her former USC coach, Caryl Smith Gilbert, instilled a principle that continues to guide her: "You got to do 99 things you don’t want to do to do the one thing you do want to do."

Beyond her athletic aspirations, Cockrell revealed she is also planning to get married before the 2028 Olympics. She is focused on being present in each moment, a lesson learned through years of dedication, setbacks, and triumphs.

"I think one thing I’ve really been working on is being where my feet are and being present and not counting down to the next big moment," she said.

USC remains a significant place for her, serving as the location where she matured into adulthood. She looks forward to returning to Los Angeles in 2028, aiming to achieve her Olympic goals while embracing the city that has become a second home.