American 400-meter champ Kendall Ellis, who became briefly trapped in a porta potty during the U.S. track trials in June, is now teaming up with toilet paper company Charmin.
Ellis, a 28-year-old from Pembroke Pines, Fla., eventually made it out of the restroom and secured her spot on the Olympic team by winning both the semifinals and finals at the event.
But the incident was somewhat harrowing, as she didn’t have her cellphone and was frantically banging on the porta potty door for roughly 10 minutes beforehand.
“It was terrifying,” Ellis said afterwards. “I don’t like small spaces. Being stuck in one is actually one of my greatest fears. Elevators. Porta pottys. Water slides.”
Eventually, a nearby track worker heard her screaming for help and unlocked the door. Ellis then proceeded to record a personal best during the semifinal (49.81 seconds) and improved upon it in the final (49.46 seconds).
Shortly after, she landed the new sponsorship deal with Charmin, which she described as “the perfect fit.”
Next, she’ll compete at the Paris Olympics in the women’s 400 meter on Monday, Aug. 5.
With News Wire Services
