So, with the 100m in the books, as well as a discussion on the relay, let’s take a look at the 200m. I’ll start by saying that we have the fastest/deepest group that the event has ever seen! Three of the six fastest ever (four of ten) are currently competing. With ten of the top twenty all time running on the track this year. This is incredible depth. The list of current competitors includes seven national record holders and the World U20 record holder. It also includes the defending Olympic champion and the last three World champions – who all happen to be the same individual. As a matter of fact, while the 100m has seen several different finalists and medalists during this past Olympic cycle. The deuce has had a much smaller group of men in the finals, and on the podium. That said, let’s take a look at the most likely sprinters to be in the Paris final.
Noah Lyles, United States, 19.31 – Noah is the most dominant individual in this deep group. He’s the American record holder; #3 all time; and has won the last three World titles. His only blemish since turning pro out of high school, is finishing third in the Tokyo Games. A “flaw” in his resume that he’s looking to repair in Paris! Since that final, he’s improved his 100m significantly. Winning the sprint double in Budapest.
Erriyon Knighton, United States, 19.49 – Erriyon is the fastest junior ever, having obliterated Usain Bolt’s 19.93 with a ratified 19.68. As a junior, he made the 2021 Olympic final. Took bronze at Worlds in 2022, and took silver in Budapest. Paris should be his first major competition as an “adult”. He’s the most prolific junior sprinter ever and is looking to upgrade medals in 2024!
Kenny Bednarek, United States, 19.68 – Kenny just seems to make teams and global finals. Resulting in silver in Tokyo; silver in Eugene; and a fourth place finish in Budapest. In 2021 Kenny was that sprinter that came out of nowhere. A good community college sprinter with some windy 200m times. He proved he could run fast without the wind, and is now looking to make another team, and get on another podium.
Andre DeGrasse, Canada, 19.62. – Andre is the “old man” of the group at 29 yrs of age. He’s also the most decorated with two Worlds 100m bronze medals (’16/’19); two Olympic 100m bronze medals (’16/’21); a Worlds 200m silver medal (’19); and an Olympic 200m silver (’16). He finally reached the top of the podium winning this event in Tokyo. Surprising everyone and stopping a US sweep. Injuries have slowed him since. He’ll be looking to once again get on a podium in Paris.
Letsile Tebogo, Botswana, 19.50 – Letsile, like Erriyon, began making his name as a junior. He won two World U20 100m titles and set the World U20 100m record of 9.91. Then became the fourth junior under 20sec in the 200m running 19.96. He became a true threat here this past summer. Running second to Lyles in London in 19.50. Following that up with bronze in Budapest. He’s now a legit threat to again make the podium in Paris.
Joseph Faunbulleh, Liberia, 19.83 – Faunbulleh is a former collegiate champion who’s known for his top end speed and furious finish. A finalist in both the Olympics (’21) and Worlds (’22). Faunbulleh is experienced and hungry coming off an injury hampered season in ’23. He’s a medal threat if he can be close off the turn.
Zharnel Hughes, Britain, 19.73 – Hughes is new to this level of competition. Making his first global final in 2023. Further improvement, like that he made this year could see him become a medal threat. He emerged as a medalist in the 100m in ’23, and has the outside potential to do so here.
While the 100m is a pretty wide open affair as we enter 2024. The 200m has a strong core of individuals that have had the podium on lock. Thru this Olympic cycle, Lyles has been the dominant force. Winning all available World titles, and bronze in Tokyo – the only “blip” on his resume. Similarly, Bednarek and Knighton have been the most consistent finalists and medalists. With Lyles, Bednarek, and Knighton sweeping the medals in 2022! DeGrasse “upset” Lyles in Tokyo for his only loss. But has battled injuries since, after being consistently on podiums himself in the previous cycle. Tebogo emerged as the new threat in 2023. Pressing Noah in a race pre Worlds. Then medaling in Budapest. Will we see someone new enter the picture before Paris? Well, we saw several young sprinters get under 20sec in 2023. The most promising in my opinion being Udodi Onwuzuriki (19.73, NGR), Terrence Jones (19.87, BAH), Robert Gregory (19.89, US), and Tarsis Orogot (19.94, UGA). This group looks most capable of improvement in 24, and will have to do so if they want to challenge in Paris. Gregory will have to even more so to make the US squad. Which brings me to the American Trials.
In addition to Gregory, I expect to see Fred Kerley (19.75) and Courtney Lindsey (19.85) in the mix. There’s also the possibility that we see Michael Norman (19.70) attempt to make this team. Kerley and Norman being the most intriguing, as Fred needs a much better turn. Michael for his part needs to be fit and focused. But as we know, historically anything can happen at the Trials.
This is the picture of the deuce as we enter the Olympic year.
Tags: Faunbulleh, Kerley, Knighton, Lyles, Tebogo