Yemi Mary John took her first steps in Valenza and spent her early days running around the city’s parks. Now, at 21, she is competing in her first Olympics and will race for Team Great Britain this Friday in the women’s 4×400 relay, aiming to qualify for the Olympic final. The British sprinter, born in Valenza to retired teacher and translator Gabriella Faciotti, moved to London with her family when she was three. However, she remains closely connected to Valenza, visiting whenever she can, and plans to return early next week after the Olympic events.

Yemi hopes to return to Valenza with a gold medal around her neck. As the lead runner for the British relay team, she will start the race on Friday morning at 10:40. On the eve of the Olympic race, she was understandably excited, with her entire family in Paris to support her. Her mother, Gabriella, arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Thursday evening after spending a few days in Valenza. Yemi’s older siblings, Engil and Richard, and her father, Christopher, will be cheering her on from the stands.

Yemi credits her love for sports to her parents, Gabriella and Christopher. Gabriella, an avid hiker who has climbed many mountains with the Cai of Valenza and Alessandria, also practiced judo under Master Mario Giardi in Valenza, though she only reached a regional bronze. Gabriella proudly calls her youngest daughter Yemi “the true champion of the family,” a sentiment echoed by Engil. The eldest sibling, born in London, returned with her parents to Valenza shortly after birth and lived there until she was ten. Engil has fond memories of her primary school years and swimming in the local pool.

Yemi’s passion for sports grew as she did, starting with gymnastics before switching to other sports after suffering two severe fractures. Christopher encouraged her to try martial arts, but she eventually found her true calling in athletics. In 2023, Yemi won her first senior medal, a silver, in the mixed 4x400m relay at the World Championships in Budapest, following her impressive 400m victory at the World Under-20 Championships, where she posted the second-fastest time ever by a British athlete in that category, 51.50 seconds.

Now, as she prepares for her Olympic debut, Yemi is determined to push herself even harder. Her goal is to qualify on Friday and then, on Saturday evening, to claim the gold medal for her team.