Prep Scene
Track and field star Emmanuel Matadi recently participated in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. For the 2009 St. Paul Johnson High School alum it was the last of three appearances for his home country of Liberia.
The 33-year-old had participated in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics while representing the African nation.
This column was not written to focus on results, but on Matadi’s journey to the Olympics. His Paris 2024 results will be noted near the conclusion of the piece.
The first glimpse, small as it was, of Matadi’s potential became apparent at the beginning of his high school career. During the 2007 season, the then-sophomore sprinter was the third leg of the St. Paul City Conference track and field championship 4×100 relay and the first leg of the record-setting 4×200 relay teams. The 4×200 team qualified for the state meet after placing first in the Section 4AA finals.
In 2008, Matadi had a breakout season as a junior, capturing the 100 and 200 meter city crowns—won the previous two seasons by fellow teammate Clarence Suttle— while qualifying for the state meet in both as well.
As a senior he repeated as conference champ in both events and qualified for the state meet in each event. Matadi was the 2009 Class AA champion in the 100 and placed third in the 200.
His career appeared to be over after a couple of college stops, one that included the University of Louisville. Matadi returned to the state reconnecting with sprinting at Minnesota State-Mankato. Once there, his career took off.
Upon graduation in 2015, Matadi had set two indoor records in his one season with the Mavericks in the 60 and 200. He also set outdoor marks in the 100 and the 4x100m relay. In addition, he won NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championships in the 100m and 200m.
After competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Matadi qualified for the Paris Games. He made it to the semifinals, finishing eighth, after which his Olympic quest concluded.
Yes, it has been quite a journey.