Aisha Praught-Leer
Aisha Praught-Leer is a middle-distance runner from Illinois competing for Jamaica. She attended Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Moline High School. Praught competed in Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics after running the 1500 meters and steeplechase standards in 2015. Praught competed in the [2015 World Championships in Athletics – Women's 3000 metres steeplechase|Women's 3000 metres steeplechase event] at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China, but was disqualified. She was the gold medalist in the steeplechase at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Biography
Although raised by two white American parents, Aisha's biological father is a Jamaican reggae musician with whom her mother had a relationship for several years. The relationship ended after Aisha's mother returned to the United States to give birth. She married her current husband four years after Aisha's birth. In 2013, Aisha travelled to Germany to meet her birth father for the first time. She then decided to represent Jamaica to honour her heritage.She married professional runner Will Leer in 2016.
She is now a correspondent for Citius Mag, where she covers track and field events.
2016 Olympics
In the steeplechase at the 2016 Olympics, Praught was involved in an incident that also left Etenesh Diro and Sara Louise Treacy lying on the track. All three athletes were advanced to the final, where Praught beat Diro to finish in 14th place.Competition record
1Disqualified in the finalPersonal records
- 1500 m: 4:04.95
- 3000 m: 8:41.10
- 5000 m: 15:07.5
- 3000 m steeplechase: 9:14.09