Paris 2024: Lyles and Thompson are favorites for Gold, however can we get one other upset this yr?

That is the primary of our previews of the observe & discipline occasions in Paris 2024. That is written by senior author Deji Ogeyingbo. 

Paris 2024: Lyles and Thompson are favorites for Gold, however can we get one other upset this yr?

As is customary earlier than the Olympics, predictions for the boys’s 100m- the most-watched occasion on the video games, are starting to succeed in fever-pitch.

As is customary, followers and pundits have gone into overdrive with who they suppose can win the title and get the tag of the quickest man on the planet. Since Usain Bolt hung his spikes in 2017, there hasn’t been an amazing favourite for the title. In comparison with what we noticed on the final Video games in Tokyo, the place a Lengthy Jumper stormed the world and took the win, we might probably witness essentially the most aggressive males’s 100m last for the reason that 2012 Video games.

Three years since Marcell Jacobs took the boys’s 100m Olympic title, the Italian has struggled to reside as much as the hype since then. The winner of this yr’s occasion could have so much using on his shoulders.

This brings us to the 2 favorites for the title; Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson.

The previous is the extra common athlete as he has completed extra within the sport. Extra considerably, his three titles from final yr’s world championships in Budapest, matching the good Bolt, places him a nudge forward. But it surely’s not all that easy. Monitor followers are obsessive about instances and plenty of really feel Lyles not having the ability to break into the highest 10 quickest males in historical past over the 100m nonetheless counts towards him.

His Private Better of 9.81s which he ran on the London Diamond League just a few days in the past isn’t all that flashy, and judging by antecedent, he would wish to run quickest if he needs that official tag of the ‘world quickest man’. Lyles brings to the desk plenty of character and panache, elements many have mentioned have been lacking within the sport, however can he run sooner than he has already over the space? Historical past says sure.

Thompson alternatively continues to be a fledgling within the occasion however has taken the world by storm in the previous couple of months. The 23-year-old Jamaican champion has but to compete within the World Championships or the Olympics. This yr, Thompson stays undefeated within the 100 meters, operating sub-9.85 in all three races on the Jamaican Championships. He capped off his spectacular streak with a private better of 9.77 within the last.

That being mentioned Kishane Thompson is proficient sufficient that he might run a nasty race and nonetheless win.

Now to the contenders: Indirect Seville has completed fourth in his final two main championships. Though he hasn’t been capable of break the 9.8s barrier, there’s a sense that every one the work Glenn Mills has put in him will come collectively in Paris. He does have a 9.7 in him as properly he must time his rounds proper. Realizing how one can run the rounds properly at these main championships can also be very key to successful the title.

Fred Kerley has had a topsy-turvy yr, and having not made final yr’s world championship last, he appears to be coming into his groove. Absolutely, he can run sooner than his 9.88s run from the US Olympic trials.

Letsile Tebogo was the shock Silver medalist from final yr’s World Championships. Though he hasn’t proven us his full energy but within the 200m his velocity endurance has improved in addition to his 100m. He equaled his PB of 9.88s in London. You recognize he can run sooner, however will or not it’s sufficient for Gold? Akani Simbine and Ferdinand Omanyala are the opposite two sprinters from Africa who can be seeking to shine on the worldwide stage. The latter has come unstuck at these main championships and can be in search of maybe one final redemption.

Jacobs, who’s the defending champion should do the unthinkable to defend his title. For Andre De Grasse, you may stake your cash on him discovering new gear on the Olympics, as he has proven over time that he is aware of what it takes to win at these occasions.

No matter what occurs, we’re in for a deal with on the 4^th of August.