Kendall Ellis, a New Balance professional athlete along with an Olympic gold and bronze medalist and a two-time World Championships gold medalist, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing in the 400 meters July 17 and 4x400 relay on July 23 and 24 at the World Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Ellis, 26, is making her third World Championships appearance, also competing in 2017 in London and 2019 in Doha. She explains how significant it is to have the opportunity to compete in the 400 again after only making the U.S. roster for the Tokyo Olympics to race in the women's 4x400 and mixed 4x400, and reflects on her performances June 23-25 at the USATF Championships at Hayward Field that resulted in a second-place finish in the 400 final in 50.35 seconds. Ellis, who is joined in the event by Talitha Diggs of Florida and former Georgia standout Lynna Irby, also shares her motivation to advance to the July 22 final in the 400 at the World Championships. She analyzes the mixed 4x400 concept after earning bronze in the event in Tokyo, and entertains the idea of the United States or any other country being able to showcase its depth by entering multiple lineups in a women's or men's relay final at an Olympics or World Championships. She revisits past success at Hayward Field competing for USC, especially the 2018 NCAA Division 1 final and her memorable rally on the anchor leg of the 4x400 to prevail against Purdue and secure the women's team title. Ellis speaks about the opportunity to be teammates with Allyson Felix for her final World Championships appearance, in addition to her own longevity in the sport and the potential for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles to be the final chapter. She analyzes how significant her faith has been throughout her journey and the enjoyment of competing this year and being able to inspire others and impact them in a meaningful way. Ellis also reminisces about being part of a world record distance medley relay quartet in April, along with Heather MacLean, Elle St. Pierre and Roisin Willis, and talking about the opening of the New Balance facility in Boston and how grateful she is for the platform provided to her by the company be an ambassador in the sport.