In preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, track and field athletes are gearing up for the highly anticipated event. The recent world championships in Budapest provided a glimpse of what’s to come, with some athletes shining and others facing challenges.
Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson emerged as standout performers, both winning championships and establishing themselves as top sprinters. However, there were notable absences and underperformances from athletes such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Elaine Thompson-Herah, defending Olympic champions.
Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics, several track and field athletes who did not perform at their best in Budapest are expected to compete for titles. Here are some takeaways from the recent event and what to watch for in France:
Noah Lyles
Noah Lyles, who had an impressive 3-for-3 performance in the sprints, including a win in the 200 meters, expressed his belief that track and field is a true international sport. He compared it to the NBA, stating that the NBA’s claim of being world champions is limited to the United States. Lyles’ success has the potential to bring track and field back to the popularity it enjoyed in previous decades.
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sha’Carri Richardson made a bold statement by declaring that she is not just back, but better than ever. She backed up her words by winning the 100 meters at the world championships, defeating top Jamaican sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. However, the defending Olympic champion in the 100 and 200 meters, Elaine Thompson-Herah, was absent from the event. Richardson, at 24 years old, has a promising future ahead.
Hurdle Hype
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, is expected to compete at the Olympics. However, it remains uncertain whether she will defend her title in the 400-meter hurdles or focus on the 400 meters, as she had been doing before a minor knee injury. Meanwhile, Femke Bol of the Netherlands showed impressive performance in McLaughlin-Levrone’s absence.
More Hurdles
The women’s 100-meter hurdles is known for its unpredictability. Danielle Williams of Jamaica, who was considered an underdog, won the event. Picking a winner in this event is challenging, and at the Olympics, it becomes even more difficult. No athlete has managed to win back-to-back Olympic titles in this event.
Running and Running
Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan showcased her versatility by winning two Olympic gold medals (5,000 and 10,000 meters) and a bronze (1,500 meters) at the Tokyo Games. In Budapest, she competed in the same three events, winning bronze in the 1,500 meters and silver in the 5,000 meters. She also won the London Marathon. Hassan is exploring new challenges and may compete in three events in Paris, possibly emulating Emil Zátopek’s historic triple win in 1952.
The Sure Things
Several athletes, including Ryan Crouser (shot put), Yulimar Rojas (triple jump), Mondo Duplantis (pole vault), Karsten Warholm (400-meter hurdles), and Katie Moon (shared gold in pole vault), won gold medals at the world championships. They are favored to repeat their success in Paris, provided they stay healthy. However, as seen with Jakob Ingebrigtsen, being a favorite doesn’t guarantee victory.
These are just a few highlights from the recent world championships and what to expect in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Track and field enthusiasts will undoubtedly witness intense competitions and potential surprises in 2024.
