Layla Almasri

Layla Almasri is a record-breaking Palestinian middle- and long-distance runner, an Olympian, and a trailblazer for Palestinian athletics on the international stage. Born in Colorado Springs to a family from Nablus, Layla's journey began with after school running programs and middle school track. Initially a sprinter, she discovered her true strength in distance events and never looked back. She competed for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), earning multiple All-American honors and leading her team to a historic podium finish. In 2023, Layla made her international debut for Palestine, winning bronze in the 1500m at the Arab Athletics Championships. She quickly became the national record-holder in multiple events, from the 800m to the 5000m, and made history as the first Palestinian woman to compete in the World Cross Country Championships. Her hard work and resilience culminated in her Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, where she set a new national record in the 800m. Now balancing training with coaching and her professional career, Layla remains committed to pushing boundaries, setting new records, and inspiring the next generation of Palestinian athletes.