An armchair guide to the sprints at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Athletics
Tielman Van Lill
  • 2 Months Ago
Today we look at the women’s 100 and 200 metre and men’s 100.

Women’s 100m (Final: August 3)

Defending Olympic champion: Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica, 10.61 seconds). Olympic record-holder: Florence Griffith Joyner (USA, 10.61 in 1988). 2023 World champion: Sha’Carri Richardson (USA, 10.65). 2024 World leader: Sha’Carri Richardson (10.71).

The usually strong Jamaican challenge looks weaker than normal, with defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah injured.

Top contenders

Sha’Carri Richardson. The 2023 world champion was mightily impressive at the US trials and will start as a big favourite.

Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia, 10.78 in 2024). The 60m world indoor champion ran a national record of 10.78 early in June and easily won the Monaco Diamond League in 10.85.

Shericka Jackson (Jamaica, 10.84 in 2024). The 2020 Olympic bronze medallist did not look at her best earlier in the year but a 10.84 in the Jamaican trials suggests she will peak in Paris.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica, 10.91 in 2024). The 2008 and 2012 champion has not looked quite as dominant in 2023 and 2024 and was only third in the Jamaican trials.

The British challenge: European champion Dina Asher-Smith is looking sharper, while Daryll Neita will need improvement to make the final.

Prediction: 1 Richardson (10.60), 2 Alfred (10.71), 3 Jackson (10.75).

Men’s 100m (Final: August 4).

Defending Olympic champion: Marcell Jacobs (Italy, 9.80). Olympic record-holder: Usain Bolt (Jamaica, 9.63 in 2012). 2023 World champion: Noah Lyles (USA, 9.83. 2024 World leader: Kishane Thompson (Jamaica, 9.77).

This should be a close battle, though the event is yet to truly catch fire in 2024.

Top contenders

Kishane Thompson. The Jamaican champion has never taken part in a major championships but, in addition to his 9.77 win in Kingston, he won in Szekesfehervar.

Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya, 9.79 in 2024). The Commonwealth champion won the Kenyan trials in 9.79 but has yet to prove himself globally.

Noah Lyles (USA, 9.81 in 2024). The 2023 world champion won the US trials in 9.83 and though the 200m is his best event, he starts as marginal favourite.

Fred Kerley (USA, 9.88 in 2024). The 2022 world champion only squeezed into the US team, but has been very consistent around the 9.90s.

The British challenge: Though he has had injury issues, world medallist Zharnel Hughes is the safest British bet but NCAA champion Louie Hinchliffe and Jeremiah Azu could also make the final.

Prediction: 1 Lyles (9.79), 2 Kerley (9.80) 3 Thompson (9.81).

Women’s 200m (Final: August 6)

Defending Olympic champion: Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica, 21.53). Olympic record-holder: Florence Griffith Joyner (USA, 21.34 in 1988). 2023 World champion: Shericka Jackson (Jamaica, 21.41). 2024 World leader: Gabby Thomas (USA, 21.78).

Americans dominate the rankings, but Shericka Jackson remains a favourite despite a poor start to 2024.

Top contenders

Gabby Thomas. Based on her win at the US trials, the Tokyo bronze medallist and 2023 world silver medallist looks sure to take the lead again.

McKenzie Long (USA, 21.83 in 2024). The NCAA double sprint champion is making her major championships debut, but has run her four fastest times in major US domestic events this summer.

Julien Alfred (22.16 in 2024). Fourth at the 2023 World Championships and ran a world indoor lead of 22.16 in February, then clocked the same time in July.

Shericka Jackson (22.29 in 2024). In 200m terms, looks well short of the 21.41 form she showed in winning the 2023 World title, but has unfinished business with the Olympics after an early exit in Tokyo.

The British challenge: The 2019 world champion Dina Asher-Smith looks in great form after a year training in Texas and should be in the mix for medals. European silver medallist Daryll Neita is much better than her ranking suggests, while Bianca Williams is finding her form.

Prediction: 1 Jackson (21.65), 2 Thomas (21.70), 3 Alfred (21.75)

– tielman@nmh-hub.com.na

Source: Athletics Weekly