Here we are in the year 2024. An Olympic year, which means a lot of Championships. The first of these being the World Indoor Championships, being held in Glasgow Ireland. In most years, the indoor championships are somewhat of an afterthought. In an Olympic season however, it becomes an important tool in most athletes preparation for the Games. As a result, we have a lot of star level talent on display in Glasgow. Every event has individuals with Olympic podium potential. Here are nine events that are guaranteed to excite everyone!
Men’s 60m – The sprints are always exciting. This year could be exceptional. It features the reigning World 100m champion, Noah Lyles (6.43). The current WR holder in the event, Christian Coleman (6.44). And the current top Jamaican, Akeem Blake (6.45). All three were finalists in last year’s 100m in Budapest, and could end up being in the Paris final. So this race is important on many levels. Especially when it comes to mental dominance moving forward in the season. Coleman is one of histories best starters. Blake nearly as good. Lyles on the other hand, is one of histories best closers. Setting up a classic, catch me if you can, type of race. It’s my bet that Lyles does catch them. But it could take a careful reading of the photo to determine place.
Women’s 60m – The women’s version of the short sprint could be even closer than the men’s. As there are five women with seasonal bests within .04 of each other. That would be Julien Alfred (6.99), Ewa Swoboda (7.00), Aleia Hobbs (7.02), Zaynab Dosso (7.02), and Shashalee Forbes (7.03). All are solid starters. Swoboda perhaps with a slight edge. Alfred is pure power. Dosso and Forbes solid turnover. This race should come down to the final steps and lean at the wire. And the photo will go to, Swoboda if she can nail the first three steps.
Women’s 400m – As close as the 60m will be, this will be a runaway. Femke Bol (49.24) is the WR holder and meters ahead of next best Lieke Klaver (50.10). The issue here is that Bol and Klaver are teammates (Netherlands), so could go one, two here. American Alexis Holmes (50.34) had the best chance to upset in this race. If she does it would be tremendous irony, as she stole the mixed relay from Femke when she stumbled at the line in Budapest! Bol went on to win the 400H and anchor the Netherlands to a win in the 4×4. This will be their first race against each other since Budapest.
Mens 400m – The best quartermilers on the men’s side, have been athletes competing at US universities. That could change this weekend as two prominent athletes will face off in what will be both athletes seasonal debuts. Olympic 400H champion Karsten Warholm and defending indoor champion Jereem Richards will begin their Olympic campaigns in Glasgow. With indoor bests of 45.00 (Richards) and 45.34 (Warholm) they will be two of the best athletes in the field. American entries Brian Faust (45.47) and Jacory Patterson (45.48) should also factor in to the race for the podium. Expect Warholm’s aggressive nature to take this out in a blistering pace. The questions being, can anyone stay close, and will Warholm fade? My guess is Warholm fades; Richard isn’t quite ready; and Patterson wins.
Mens 3000m – As much as I’m a huge fan of the sprints, this race may be just as exciting. It’s an odd distance, not normally run outdoors. So it will have 5k/10k stud Selemon Barega, going against 1500m World champion Josh Kerr, and 3:43 miler Yared Nuguse. This should be a fun race to watch. Not too long, but long enough to see tactics and strength! I’ve become a big Nuguse fan. He had this ability to not look strained while running a fast pace. And Kerr will set a fast pace. It should come down to a final lap race. I’m being on Nuguse, but won’t be surprised if Kerr wins. They’re that close in ability.
Women’s 60H – The women’s hurdles outdoors is one of the deepest events in the sport. Many of the best seem to be waiting for the longer event. That doesn’t mean this race is without talent. The WR had been broken by American Tia Jones (not here) and Devyn Charlton. Both work recording 7.67 records. Charlton will get the final word with the chance to lower the record in this meet. Her primary competition should come from Nadine Visser (7.78), Masai Russell (7.79) and Pia Skrzyszowska (7.81). Look for Charlton to win just off her record.
Mens 60H – Grant Holloway (7.27) is the best indoor hurdler in history. He hasn’t lost an indoor race since high school! That’s nine years and counting. Oh, by the way, he is the WR holder. His teamate, Tre Cunningham (7.39), is easily the number two hurdler. Next in line are Just Kwaou-Mathey (7.43), Jason Joseph ( 7.43), and Wilhem Belocian (7.44). The biggest mystery here is, who gets third, and how fast will Grant run?
Women’s 4×4 – The typical bet would be on the American women to win. The Netherlands have been coming however, and could be ready to upset. The Dutch enter with the world’s two fastest women on the season in Femke Bol and Lieke Klaver. The question on the table is this, will the other two women run well enough to keep them in contention? They did that in Barcelona with the Americans sidelined by a disqualification. Making this the first meeting between the US and Netherlands since Budapest. The Dutch area clearly ready and will be looking to validate last years gold. So I’m riding with the upset on this one.
Men’s SP – Gotta list one field event. And it’s gotta be Ryan Crouser and the shot put. Ryan is one of the most dominant forces in the sport today. He’s already thrown just short of his own world record with only the one competition under his belt. If you’ve never watched the shot put, watch Ryan. He’ll make you a fan. The only question here is will the WR fall. My answer is, yes.
This should be one of the best Indoor Championships ever. Great athletes with lots of great head to heads. Which is really when the sport is at its best. As the British say, this should be a real cracker.