Aniella Delafosse: A Rising Star in Track and Field

Aniella Delafosse is an accomplished track and field athlete who represents Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in international competition. Born on January 3, 2001, she is currently 24 years old and specializes in the long jump and triple jump, while also competing in various sprint events.

Early Life and Athletic Beginnings

Delafosse’s athletic journey began during her high school years in the United States, where she showed exceptional promise in jumping events. During her prep career, she achieved notable results including finishing third at the Penn Relay HS Long Jump Championships in 2019, seventh at New Balance HS Nationals in both 2018 and 2019, and second at ISL/MAC Championships in 2018 and 2019.

Collegiate Career at Georgetown University

Delafosse attended Georgetown University from 2019 to 2023, where she competed for the Hoyas track and field team while pursuing her education. She graduated from the College in 2023 with a major in government and a minor in philosophy. She later earned a degree from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and notably passed the Pennsylvania bar exam with a score high enough to practice in any UBE jurisdiction.

During her collegiate career, in the 2019-20 season, she finished third in the long jump and registered a personal record in the 200-meter run at the Nittany Lion Challenge, achieved a personal best in the 60-meter run at the Hookie Invitational, and won first-place honors in the long jump at the BIG EAST Indoor Track and Field Championships.

International Career and National Representation

Delafosse’s international career represents a significant transition in her athletic journey. Originally competing for the USA until June 17, 2024, she became eligible to represent Côte d’Ivoire in National Representative Competitions from June 18, 2024, following World Athletics eligibility rules.

Current Athletic Achievements

Delafosse has established herself as a formidable competitor in horizontal jumping events. Her current personal bests include:

• Long Jump: 6.47 meters, achieved on June 8, 2024
• Triple Jump: 13.52 meters, achieved on February 15, 2025, at the Randal Tyson Indoor Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas

She has also competed in relay events, with notable performances including 8:47.45 in the 4×800 meters relay on May 15, 2021, and 1:38.07 in the 4×200 meters relay on June 15, 2019.

Recent Success and National Records

In 2024, Delafosse made headlines in Ivorian athletics by establishing a new Côte d’Ivoire national record in the long jump with a leap of 6.43 meters (+2.0 wind) at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, breaking the previous record of 6.38 meters held by Kouassi Gabriella. This achievement marked her as one of the leading jumpers representing Côte d’Ivoire on the international stage.

Current World Standing

As of the current World Athletics rankings, Delafosse is ranked #123 in women’s long jump and #159 in women’s triple jump globally. She has also finished in the top 8 at African Championships, demonstrating her continental-level competitiveness.

Professional and Academic Pursuits

Beyond athletics, Delafosse has shown remarkable academic achievement and professional development. She has worked at 1310 Kitchen & Bar and has been recognized on The Association of American Law Schools’s 2022 Pro Bono Honor Roll for her community engagement. Her LinkedIn profile also mentions involvement with the Georgetown Prisons and Justice Initiative (PJI), highlighting her commitment to social justice issues.

Multi-Event Versatility

While primarily known for her jumping abilities, Delafosse is a versatile athlete who has competed across multiple events. Her event repertoire includes triple jump, long jump, 100 meters, 60 meters, 200 meters, 200 meters short track, and 4×800 meters relay, showcasing her well-rounded athletic abilities.

Aniella Delafosse represents the modern student-athlete who has successfully balanced elite athletic performance with academic excellence and social engagement. Her transition to representing Côte d’Ivoire marks an exciting new chapter in her career as she aims to make her mark on the international stage while continuing to break national records and inspire the next generation of Ivorian athletes.