It’s not only the athletes sporting the latest super spikes who are energized at these Olympics; the entire track and field community shares in this excitement. The sport is becoming increasingly vocal about its enthusiasm.
“Athletics is the heartbeat of the Olympic Games,” declared World Athletics president Sebastian Coe on Thursday. “These Games will be remarkable, showcasing breathtaking performances and extraordinary talents unlike any generation has yet witnessed.”
Of course, Coe tends to make such statements prior to each Games. Nevertheless, there is a strong anticipation that Paris will deliver rapid times, stunning drama, and possibly numerous world records.
Furthermore, it’s crucial that more viewers tune in, especially since the Sprint documentary series has attracted a fresh audience to stars like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, whose prowess on the track is rivaled by their outspoken nature off it.
“The response has been amazing,” Coe remarked, noting that Sprint is the top sports show on Netflix right now. “I’ve talked with individuals who might not have previously seen athletics and are now realizing it’s a fascinating sport. Our task is to capitalize on this excitement that we’ve generated.”
A second series is in the works, already eyeing several compelling new contenders. Jamaican Kishane Thompson, 23, holds the title of the fastest man in the world this year with a time of 9.77 seconds, although he has yet to compete on the Diamond League circuit in 2024. His fellow countryman, Oblique Seville, also 23, is nearly as fast. Are they the real deal? We will find out soon.
Likewise, in the women’s 100m and 200m events, don’t be surprised if St. Lucian Julien Alfred emerges alongside established stars like Richardson, Gabby Thomas, and Shericka Jackson. The possibility of breaking Florence Griffiths-Joyner’s 200m world record, which has stood for 36 years, is within reach if Jackson can regain her top form.
Expect astonishingly swift times in Paris as well. Mondo claims that the track at the Stade de France is the fastest ever built for an Olympics, while shoe manufacturers assure that the latest super spikes are significantly improved from those available two years ago in Tokyo. The stage is undeniably set.
Moreover, another less-discussed aspect contributing to faster times is the introduction of a “bicarb system” by the supplement company Maurten last year, which has gained traction within track and field. A prominent British coach shared with the Guardian that “nearly everyone is using it, and it’s completely legal,” allowing athletes to consume sodium bicarbonate in high doses without adverse effects to enhance their performance in high-intensity events.
Anticipate fierce rivalries as well. In the women’s 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is likely to shatter her own world record, an achievement she may need to surpass the formidable Dutch athlete Femke Bol. Meanwhile, the men’s 400m hurdles promises a rematch of the three musketeers – Karsten Warholm, Rai Benjamin, and Alison Dos Santos – that electrified the Tokyo Games. However, you could pick any event on any given night to find a captivating story.
There is a palpable sense of optimism among the British contingent as well. Last year’s world championships saw them achieve a record equal to 10 medals. High hopes are pinned on Keely Hodgkinson in the women’s 800m, Josh Kerr in the men’s 1500m, and Matt Hudson-Smith in the men’s 400m—all of whom are expected to excel in Paris, with gold being the only lingering question.
Don’t be surprised if Molly Caudery, the second favorite in the women’s pole vault, surfaces as a breakout star. Or if Katarina Johnson-Thompson finally secures an Olympic medal in the heptathlon. There are also expectations for multiple medals across most of the five relay events, despite the setback of Jake Wightman withdrawing from the 800m just before the Games.
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As team captain, Josh Kerr, the 1500m world champion, explains: “There is significant expectation. We are coming off our most successful medal tally from a world championship, which has set a high benchmark for this team.
“We are determined to contend for as many finals as possible,” he continues. “At that point, the medals will be within reach.”
Kerr, of course, is also gearing up for a standout race against the remarkable Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The Norwegian claimed the Olympic title in Tokyo, finishing ahead of Kerr, who took bronze. Yet, last year Ingebrigtsen fell to Kerr at the world championships in Budapest, which leads Kerr to ponder whether that moment will linger in his opponent’s mind when the race begins.
“I would be surprised if it didn’t cross his thoughts,” he says. “But it’s not just about me. There’s a fantastic pool of 1500m runners all thinking: ‘We can achieve this in different ways.’ Jakob set the Olympic record in 2021; that’s something you don’t forget. And he’s clocked faster times this year. My focus is to go out there and execute my race plan. I truly believe I can do that better than anyone else.”
“My objectives are very straightforward,” Kerr adds. “I’ve discussed them at length. My training camp has gone very smoothly. I’m entering with high confidence, ready to pursue my goals.”
This is a sentiment that resonates with numerous athletes. Track and field aspires for victories on the track to translate into increased attention and revenue off it.
