There’s no making up for what Olympic hurdler Lashinda Demus lost on the day she finished .07 seconds behind a Russian opponent who, everyone found out later, was doping.

What the American 400-meter hurdles champion will get is a great day under the Eiffel Tower, where she’ll be presented with the gold medal she was denied 12 years ago at the London Olympics.

Demus, now 41 and the mother of four boys, said so much time had passed that she wasn’t all that excited when she learned last year that the medal first captured by Natalya Antyukh would go to her.

“But one thing I did know was that I was on an international stage,” Demus said. “And whatever happens, I wanted to receive this upgrade on an international stage.”

With the help of a lawyer and the determination not to take the IOC’s first offer — normally a presentation at a national or world championship — Demus negotiated a deal to receive the medal on Aug. 9 at the Paris Olympics, at the Champions Park in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

This will mark the first time the IOC has held a “reallocation” ceremony at a Summer Games.

Demus will bring her husband and kids along for the trip. She has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring her parents, maybe her grandmother, and other friends and family.

She said she holds no ill will against the IOC for the decade-plus that it took to get this medal to her. But she wanted more than a mere pro forma commemoration of the moment. What she really wanted was a ceremony at the track stadium, but the IOC told her that wasn’t possible. The Eiffel Tower isn’t a bad backup plan.

“I would have appreciated a little more, I guess, glitz and glam for people who are receiving their medals” belatedly, Demus said. “It’s a work in progress. I’m pushing on in good faith. I’m glad I’m at the forefront in this. I can literally say that I am the trailblazer of this movement.”

Among the others slated to receive medals that day will be Zuzana Hejnová of the Czech Republic and Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica, who finished behind Demus in the 400 meters. Also in the group of 10: American high jumper Erik Kynard, who finished second to a Russian found to be doping.

Demus estimates she lost in the seven figures when it came to what she could have made had she returned home in 2012 as a gold medalist. She had battled injuries all that season and felt getting to the starting line at the Olympics was a victory of sorts.

When Antyukh beat her to the finish line by less than half a step, Demus said it crossed her mind that the Russian had never beaten her before.

“But it wasn’t in my mindset that anyone who beats me is automatically dirty. I didn’t let that infiltrate my thinking,” she said. “I just kind of accepted that I lost and I tried my best to move on. But it was a five- or six-year process of me just getting over failing at something I’d trained my whole life to do.”

Not until details emerged about a widespread Russian doping scandal that began in the early 2010s did Demus start viewing her loss in a different light. Even then, it took years for Antyukh to be tagged for doping.

After stepping away from the sport for a handful of years, Demus is back coaching at Culver City High School near Los Angeles. She works as a clinical researcher for a medical care company. She has 16-year-old twin boys and two more sons, ages 4 and 5.

She said she’s thrilled that she’ll get to feel like a gold medalist this summer at the Olympics, even if the prize will come some 12 years after her race was run.

She also is under no illusions that her journey to gold — 400 meters, plus 4,384 days — will mark a grand turning point in the fight against doping in world sports. Due to doping and, this year, the war in Ukraine, the last Olympics the Russians will have brought a full track team to remains the same 2012 Games that eventually made Demus an Olympic champion.

“It doesn’t break my heart,” she said. “But what comes to mind is that (doping) is never going to leave. I don’t think anything has changed since the big Russian scandal. I think it’s always going to be there.”

The implications of Demus’s belated recognition extend beyond the personal. Her story is a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of doping scandals on athletes' lives and careers. It highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair competition and the need for continued vigilance and stringent measures to combat doping in sports.

For Demus, the upcoming ceremony under the Eiffel Tower will be a bittersweet moment of vindication. It represents not only a personal triumph but also a symbol of resilience and integrity in the face of adversity. As she stands on the international stage, finally receiving her gold medal, she will embody the spirit of perseverance and the enduring quest for justice in the world of athletics.

Her journey underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the true achievements of athletes who compete fairly. It serves as an inspiration to future generations to uphold the values of sportsmanship and integrity, even when faced with formidable challenges.

As Demus prepares for her moment of recognition, the broader athletics community reflects on the lessons learned from her experience. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring pursuit of excellence, justice, and fairness in sports.

In addition to her athletic and professional pursuits, Demus is also actively involved in advocating for clean sports

. She has been speaking at various forums and engaging with organizations dedicated to anti-doping efforts. Her unique perspective as an athlete who was directly impacted by doping has made her a powerful voice in the movement to maintain the integrity of sports.

Demus’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the far-reaching consequences of doping, not just for those who engage in it, but for all athletes who strive for fairness. Her story highlights the importance of robust anti-doping policies and the need for ongoing efforts to ensure that all athletes compete on a level playing field.

As the date of the medal ceremony approaches, there is a growing anticipation within the athletic community. The event at the Eiffel Tower will not only honor Demus and other athletes who were wronged but will also stand as a symbol of the ongoing fight for justice and integrity in sports. Demus’s journey to finally receiving her gold medal is a powerful reminder that, despite the challenges, the pursuit of justice is always worth it.

Her upcoming trip to Paris is filled with a sense of triumph and closure, as she will be able to share this significant moment with her family. The ceremony at Champions Park, in the shadow of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, will offer a fitting stage for this long-overdue recognition. For Demus, it is not just about receiving a piece of metal; it is about the acknowledgment of her true accomplishment and the perseverance it took to get there.

Demus’s story also sheds light on the broader issue of doping in sports and the long road to achieving clean competition. It serves as an educational tool and a source of motivation for current and future athletes, encouraging them to pursue their goals with integrity and honor.

In her role as a coach and mentor, Demus continues to influence the next generation of athletes. She instills in them the values of hard work, dedication, and fairness, using her own experiences as powerful lessons. Her advocacy for clean sports ensures that her impact extends beyond the track and field, contributing to a culture that prioritizes ethical behavior and fair play.

As Demus reflects on her journey, she remains hopeful for the future of athletics. She understands that the fight against doping is ongoing and that progress requires constant vigilance and effort. Her own story is a testament to the fact that justice, although sometimes delayed, is not denied, and that the truth will eventually prevail.

The upcoming ceremony in Paris will not only be a moment of personal victory for Demus but also a celebration of all athletes who have competed honestly and honorably. It will highlight the importance of integrity in sports and the enduring quest for justice. As the world watches, Demus will finally receive the recognition she deserves, standing tall as a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and the true spirit of the Olympics.

The legacy of Lashinda Demus will undoubtedly inspire many, reminding us all that integrity and fairness are paramount in the world of sports. Her journey underscores that while the path to justice may be long and fraught with challenges, it is always worth pursuing.