We’re finally ready to go play outside! As exciting as this year’s indoor season was, outdoors is always better. If that’s the case, this is going to be a season for the ages. Especially the ending with Noah Lyles running the 4×4 and others saying, yo I wanted to do that! That is what Olympic seasons are about. The Ultimate in competition, combined with stories of all types. Success, failure, close finishes, rising stars. In many ways it’s the stories that make the Olympics. So today I’m going to throw some potential story lines out into the ether. Something to follow on the road to and during the Paris Games. So following are some story lines that involve athletes that should be in Paris. Obviously it’s early, with much ground to cover between now and national meets that will decide the actual participants for Paris. That said, these are some journeys that, should they get to France, will be more than worth the wait.
Sprinters vying to be on the 4×4 – I’m going to start with a topic that’s already been placed on the table – a US sprinter on the 4×4. Actually I’m personally excited that there is interest, because usually sprinters hide when they hear that the coach is looking for someone to run the 4×4. This however, is not your normal 4×4, it’s the Olympic 4×4. And if by chance you’ve already won the 100m, the 200m, and run on the winning 4×1, this medal could catapult you into Olympic history. That’s why sprinters are literally begging to run a leg on this relay. Realistically there are three men that could potentially use this race in a run for four gold medals – Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Kenny Bednarek. They have the most potential to qualify in both sprints. Again realistically, only one should have a shot at the end of US Trials, as it will be very difficult to find two men qualifying for the Games in both sprints. Unlikely, but not impossible. Regardless, once in Paris, there can be only one double gold winner. If there is one still standing, the story of a quadruple medal hunt will begin. First however, you have to reach this point. Let that journey begin!
The World’s Fastest Human – This event, the men’s 100m, will both begin the chase for medals and the title of WFH. You have to be in the top three here at the Trials to have a shot at either. Traditionally this will be the tougher of the sprints to make. Simply because of the closeness of the finish. I’ve seen guys literally left home by thousandths of a second. Mistakes here are unforgiving. A small mistake in this race and you’re watching the Olympics from the couch! Especially given the list of men that should be competing in Eugene. That list should include Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and Kenny Bednarek. Along with Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, Marvin Bracy Williams, Cravont Charleston, Kendal Williams, Courtney Lindsey, Kyree King, Terrence Laird, and a few athletes that will appear out of nowhere. The 100m will be outstanding, with the three men that emerge from Eugene among the favorites having an edge heading into Paris. First you have to get there.
The Rehabilitation of Abby Steiner and Trayvon Bromell – Two of 2022’s top sprinters were Abby Steiner and Trayvon Bromell. Both went to Worlds where Trayvon won a bronze in the 100m and Abby won two gold’s in the relays. Unfortunately for both, their 2023 seasons ended in injury – ironically foot injuries for both. Both had surgery before seasons end and have been rehabbing since. As we head outdoors, we’ll soon get to see the fruit of their labor. At their best, both can make the team as well as finals in Paris. With bests of 9.76 in the 100m for Bromell and 19.77 in the 200m for Steiner, they are among the fastest Americans ever in their respective events. If healthy, both will be tremendous assets for the US team. I’ll be watching every time they step on the track to check their progress. Hopefully they show up to Eugene healthy and ready to go. If so their presence will be felt.
Golden Upgrades for Noah and Grant – Over the last few years, both Grant Holloway and Noah Lyles have competed so well that they’ve become two of the biggest stars in the sport. Grant winning three World titles in the 110H; going undefeated indoors; setting the WR indoors in the 60H, and missing the WR outdoors by just .01sec.. Not a bad career, let alone a few seasons. Noah has also been impressive. Three World titles in the 200m. One title in the 100m. The American record in the 200m, to go with having run more sub 20’s than anyone else in history. Two of the most successful athletes in the planet. But both have one “failure” that they would like to rectify in Paris. Both didn’t get gold in Tokyo. Grant getting silver, and Noah bronze. A happy moment for most athletes. Something to atone for, for Grant and Noah. Neither likes to lose, and both are looking for the one that got away. Which will make watching their buildup to, and competition in Paris something memorable.
Clash of the Titans, Femke Bol and Sydney McLaughlin – The race of the Games could end up being the women’s 400H. An encounter that had the potential to result in something truly epic! The current World champion in the 400H and indoor 400m WR holder, Femke Bol (49.17), against the current Olympic champion and WR holder in the 400H, Sydney McLaughlin (50.60). Both women make covering 400m look relatively easy. Both finish very well. In some ways they are almost mirror images of each other, which stands to reason because their times are so close. As a matter of fact Sydney’s second best time is within hundredths of Femke’s PB. So, it’s going to come down to improvements they make this year on the way to Paris. That is why their “battle” is going to make such a great story. With the final in Paris being the last word – for now. Think King Kong vs Godzilla.
The Wild Wild 400m – This title could actually refer to either the men’s or women’s event as both are pretty wide open right now. However, this time the reference is for the men’s race, because it’s more wide open than usual. Normally by now someone has made a statement in the event. Lee Evans, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson, LaShawn Merritt. But this time around we have a lot of “maybe if’s”. Let me explain. Michael Norman, maybe if he’s got the short sprint bug out of his system and is committing to the event. Wayde van Niekerk, maybe if he’s completely back from his injury – we thought he was last year. Steven Gardiner, maybe if he can stay healthy – literally injured during last years semi. Kirani James, maybe if the youngsters falter. Champion Allison, maybe if he makes the US team and is in 2022 form. All of the above are 43sec quartermilers. With maybe if potential. There are a ton of 44 low guys that also have the potential to break through to championship potential. Literally 17 last year alone under 44.50. With that the last two global titles were won at 44.29 and 44.22. This being an Olympic year, someone must break thru the 44sec barrier. So I’ll be watching very closely too see turns maybe if into gold.
Encore for the 400H – For many fans of the sport, this race was THE race of the Tokyo Games. Since then the main athletes in the event have gotten even better. Though each of the three medalists, Karsten Warholm, Rai Benjamin, and Alison dos Santos, have had a season where they were injured. All three have gotten more consistent under 47sec. Mind boggling when you consider it took thirty years after the barrier was first broken, for someone else to do it! Now we have three men than can do so on command. Meanwhile Kyron McMaster has run 47.08 (Edwin Moses territory), and the man that started the 46 second train, Abderrahmane Samba is finally healthy and back to 47.12. As good as the hurdles were entering Tokyo stadium, this event is even better now . The athletes are faster, and the rivalry between the main protagonists even deeper. Begging the question, what will we see in Paris? Dare I say it has the potential to outdo Tokyo!
Do Not Miss The 200m Finals – The 400H was the race of the Tokyo Games. Both the men’s and women’s events resulted in WR’s. Not only that, but the finishers behind them were among the fastest in history. I’m putting it out there that both the men’s and women’s 200m will be THE epic events in Paris! The women have Shericka Jackson (21.41), Elaine Thompson (21.53), Gabby Thomas (21.60), and Abby Steiner (21.77) all looking to get to Paris. With Sha’Carri Richardson (21.61w) also showing signs of being competitive in this event. If all can get to France healthy, the WR is actually in danger after all these years. On the other side of the coin, the men have Noah Lyles (19.31), Erriyon Knighton (19.49), Letsile Tebogo (19.50), Andre DeGrasse (19.63) and Kenny Bednarek (19.68) attempting to get to Paris and the 200m final as well. Keep an eye on their journeys this spring. I know that this sounds blasphemous to some, but as with the women, the men’s WR could also fall. Both Shericka and Noah have openly stated they’re in search of these records. Add the fact that these will both be potentially the deepest finals in history and you have the fuel to push these athletes to something truly special. So make sure to bookmark these two finals. Get your favorite beverage, and a bowl of popcorn. This is going to be must see TV!
Tales of the Baton featuring the US Men – This is a story that should’ve been a short story that’s turned into a series. Entering every global major with more speed than anyone else. The US men have found a way to leave without the gold medal time and time again. It started in 1995. No medal in ’95, silver in’96, no medal in ’97. We recovered and won in ’99, and ’00. It’s been mostly losses since. Though the current group of sprinters have been a bit better. Winning gold in Doha (’19) and Budapest (’23). Better, but we should’ve won in “22 as well. As far as the Olympics go, we haven’t won that since Sydney in the year 2000! So it’s time to get the stick around the track. The common denominator to our recent victories has been the leadoff and anchor of Christian Coleman and Noah Lyles. Hopefully that remains intact. Regardless of who we put in the middle, we will undoubtedly have the fastest group of sprinters on the track. We just need to work on passing the baton. It would be nice to get two in a row since that hasn’t been done since the start of the century. If we can do that we start a new streak. Here’s to a new streak!
Ingerbringtsen v Kerr v Nuguse – For decades the middle and long distances have been dominated by East African athletes. Over the past couple of seasons however, the trio of Jakob Ingerbringtsen (Norway), Josh Kerr (Britain) and Yared Nuguse (US) have emerged as the best of the lot. They’ve proven to be adept at every distance from 1500m to 10k. I’m hoping however, that we get to see them go head to head in the 1500m. Ingerbringtsen and Nuguse went head to head in a mile in ’23. Resulting in a pair of 3:43’s. Just missing the WR. Would be awesome to see the three tackle 3:26.00! Who wins? It’s anyone’s guess and that is what makes for great theater. And this will be great theater.
These are just a few of the athletes and events to keep an eye on during the lead up to Paris. The Games are the preeminent sporting event on the planet. It’s an athletes opportunity to let the world see how awesome he/she is. So every athlete across the globe will be trying to book passage to Paris! So keep a side eye out for up and coming talent as well.
The hardest part of the Olympics, is getting all of those athletes to the Games intact. Healthy and ready to compete. So keep an eye on the above. As even the best athletes get injuries, niggles, and the like. So here’s good luck to all. This should be a great season!
Tags: Coleman, Ingerbringtsen, Jackson, Kerr, Knighton, Lyles, Nuguse, Richardson, Tebogo