VESTAL, N.Y. – For Emily Mackay, this year's Fourth of July holiday was filled with extra special meaning. Fresh off of qualifying for her first United States Olympic Team, she spent that day – as well as the entire week – vacationing with her family in the New York Finger Lakes Region.

It was there and then that the magnitude of her recent accomplishment began to sink in. Mackay realized that come August, she would represent the same nation whose birthday the country was celebrating on that July fourth holiday.

"The fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays," she said. "I often spend it at Keuka Lake with my family but I hadn't been able to go the past couple of years because of the U.S. National Meet being held at the same time. So to be there with them right after qualifying for my first Olympic Team was so special and that's when everything began to sink in."

Even though she was on vacation, Mackey was showered with support from many people up at Keuka Lake.

"When I was going for my runs up and down the roads at Keuka Lake, I had so many people come up and congratulate me," she said. "It was so nice to have the love and support from the community up there. Keuka Lake has always been a really special place to my family my whole life."

Fresh off her week of vacation, Mackay met with the local and regional media on Monday afternoon to talk about a variety of topics – including the recent U.S. Olympic Trials and the upcoming Paris Games. Mackay was second overall in the women's 1,500 finals on June 30 to become the first Binghamton University athlete since 1994 to qualify for a U.S. Olympic Team.

"It just felt like a dream come true and a huge relief," she said. "The whole week at the U.S. Trials was very emotional and taxing. Having that big dream of making the Olympic Team and having it be within my reach was something that had been weighing on me for months. Realizing my dream in that moment was so surreal."

Mackay's dream of making the U.S. Olympic Team was hatched while she was still running for Binghamton University. From 2021-22, she was a five-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) All-American.
"The dream of running in the Olympics started my last couple of years in college," she said. "But I made it a goal when I signed with New Balance (in 2022). I was training with a lot of great runners – and two of my teammates were Olympians. After I placed seventh (in the 1,500) at the US National Meet that summer, I knew that maybe in two years if I could develop, the Olympics was realistic."

As honored as Mackay is to represent the United States, representing her hometown of nearby Endicott - as well as Binghamton University - means just as much to her.

"My hometown is very special to me," she said. "Having gone to Union-Endicott High School and Binghamton University, I am very proud of this area and I've had so much support and love from the community during my entire running career. I couldn't have done it without all of the people who have supported me over the years. This isn't just something that I did – but that we all did together."

One person who has had a large role in Mackay's development as a runner is Binghamton distance coach Annette Acuff. The longtime Bearcat coach made the trip to Hayward Field and her support was appreciated by Mackay.

"Having Annette Acuff there in Eugene helped give me a sense of calm," Mackay said. "She knows me as an athlete as much as anyone and we have become really close over the past couple of years. She always knows what to say to me before a race. It was really special to share that moment with her."

Mackay will be sharing her trip to Paris with 20 members of her family. As she found out after her final race last week, they had already made their reservations for the Olympics before the U.S. Trials had ended.

"They were so confident that I'd make the Olympic Team that they made their plans for Paris ahead of team," she said. "I'm glad they didn't tell that me that until afterwards!"

Click here to access the entire interview.