The upcoming Olympic Games in Paris is set to be among the most anticipated in recent times, with a series of matchups, rivalries and prospects of record performances. Fueling the excitement, we look at five of the most anticipated events in the Championship.
Women’s 100m
Arguably the most anticipated final of the Paris Olympics, the women’s 100m is expected to be another USA versus Jamaica spectacle for several reasons.
If last season was anything to go by this is set to be a cracker with the main contenders all having championship pedigree.
Former two-time Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is set to retire following the summer games, is expected to add another Olympic medal to her already decorated trove of accolades in the event.
Reigning back-to-back Champion Elaine Thompson-Herah is expected to be among the qualifiers for Paris to defend her title, as she targets a massive comeback year after a tumultuous 2023 season.
Following a coaching switch, she has gradually returned to the championship contender form.
100m Bronze medalist Shericka Jackson, who has become a dominant force over the distance, is another gold medal favourite expected to be among the Jamaican contingent in Paris to light up the event.
The Jamaicans, who swept the event year, are expected to face their biggest challenge from World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the US. The enigmatic sprinter had a super comeback last year, which saw her claim her first championship title in Budapest.
Men’s -100m
Traditionally referred to as the “Blue ribboned” event the men’s 100m will also be a keenly watched final in Paris.
The event which has lost a bit of sheen since the retirement of the legendary Usain Bolt, has gradually regain some excitement with the recent improved performances.
A potential clash between 200m world champion Noah Lyles and former World 100m World Champion Fred Kerley and Italy’s Olympic Gold medalist Marcell Jacobs, among others, have raised the stocks ahead of the summer games.
For Jamaica, the Olympics will be the biggest test since the resurgence of a competitive male sprinting lineup on the global scene.
With Ackeem Blake grabbing the World Indoor 60 meter Bronze, Jamaica’s first individual sprint medal since Bolt’s 2015 World Championship bronze and a World Championship final appearance by Oblique Seville in 2023 they will be seen as a real contenders for the event.
Women’s 200m
While the 200m is expected to have a solid list of qualifiers, a majority of interest surrounding the event will undoubtedly orbit on Shericka Jackson’s potential world record.
Jackson, who logged the second fastest time ever in the 200m championships final for Gold in 21.41 seconds, previously stated that Florence Griffith-Joyner’s mark of 21.34 seconds was among her goals this season.
Long Jump
The men’s Long Jump will also be a keenly watched event, especially among Jamaicans, as the country has the prospect of a potential clean sweep in the event following stellar performances at the last games.
Jamaica showed its pedigree after bagging three of the top four finishes at last year’s World Championships, with Wayne Pinnock silver, Tajay Gayle bronze and Carey McLeod just off the podium in fourth.
The jumpers have already laid down the gauntlet for their intentions for this season, with McLeod taking Bronze at the World Athletics Indoor Championships last week with a mark of 8.21 m while Pinnock defended his NCAA championship title with world lead 8.40m
Triple Jump
The Men’s Triple Jumps will attract special attention this Olympics, as Jamaica could see its first gold in the event via super talent Jyadon Hibbert. The Jamaican junior, who has dominated all events entered over the last two years is seen as a heavy favourite to claim his first senior championship gold as one the competition’s youngest Champions.
110 metre hurdles men
The potential of another massive showdown looms between rivals Olympic Champion Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment, teammate Commonwealth Games winner Rasheed Broadbell and USA’s World Championship gold medalist Grant Halloway.
All three men exchanged victories last season, including a nail-biting World Champs final between Parchment and Halloway, setting up an exciting precursor to the Olympics.
