PHOENIX — Olympian Freddie Crittenden is back home in the Valley following competing in the Men's 110M Hurdles Final in Paris.
To welcome him home, the students at Emerson Elementary, whose screams were so loud during the competition they likely could be heard across the Atlantic, quieted their voices down to surprise Crittenden at school Thursday.
The students gathered in the cafeteria, donning the same kind of sport glasses Crittenden competes in, and cheered for Crittenden as he walked out - breaking out into chants.
"It was definitely a beautiful moment, a special moment, kind of a full circle moment," Crittenden said.
Crittenden has worked at the Phoenix school with an afterschool program called G Road for a few years, endearing him in the hearts of the students and staff.
"I feel happy for him that he would have won but he still tried," student Gabriel Avalos said. "And he made his dream come true."
Ultimately, Crittenden finished sixth in the world, running a 13.32 race.
"It's been a lifelong dream for me to go out there and compete on the biggest stage for my love, my passion, my craft, and to go out there and do it the way I did," Crittenden said. "I can't be happier with it."
In June, he made Team USA with a personal best, running the race in 12.92 seconds. He told NBC Olympics the trials in Eugene, Oregon were his third Olympic Trials. In the previous two Olympic Trials, he was hurt.
"The kids have been just a constant all the way through all of it, you know, good days, bad days, hard days, easy days, like they've always just been here, you know, being kids, you know, just trying to have a good time, trying to do their best in school and classes and stuff. So it's really a beautiful moment to come here after everything's all said and done, and they're still here, screaming their heads off, wishing me the best in all of it," Crittenden said.
As for what's next, Crittenden is focused on his baby girl who was born days before he left for Paris. He also recently secured a sponsorship from Adidas and is planning for the 2028 Olympics. While still wanting to keep teaching kids to pursue their dreams too.
"Next is just trying to keep striving for excellence in whatever I do," Crittenden said. "And bring as many kids as I can with me."
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