Running News Daily

Keely Hodgkinson reveals a serious impact Mary Moraa has made on her road to Paris 2024 Olympics

Keely Hodgkinson discusses lessons from her loss to Mary Moraa as he aims for gold at the Paris Olympics.

Olympic and world 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson is gearing up for the Paris Olympics with a resolute focus on clinching the gold.

At just 22, she has already made significant strides in her athletic career, breaking records and overcoming challenges.

But as she prepares for the upcoming games, Hodgkinson reflects on a particularly tough race that has fueled her drive for victory.

“If you want to watch a bad race, watch Lausanne,” Hodgkinson says in an interview with the Telegraph, recalling the June competition where she found herself boxed in and then out-thought and out-paced by Kenyan Mary Moraa in the 800m.

“That was bad.”

Hodgkinson’s journey has been marked by impressive accomplishments, including a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics at the age of 19 with a personal best of 1:55.88.

More recently, she broke her own 800m record in front of 60,000 fans at the London Stadium leg of the Diamond League, becoming the sixth-fastest woman in history.

Despite these successes, Hodgkinson admits that post-Tokyo, she faced emotional challenges.

Struggling to focus on training after leaving her criminology degree course at Leeds Beckett University, she found it difficult to balance her mental state and athletic ambitions.

“I had nothing to be sad about, yet I felt guilty for feeling down.”

The determination to win gold in Paris is what keeps Hodgkinson motivated.

“Gold is all I have in my head right now. To get the gold in Paris. For me, that was the one I was always aiming for anyway,” she says.

Her rigorous training regime reflects this ambition.

Running approximately 35 miles each week, Hodgkinson focuses on building power and muscle strength, training more like a sprinter. Gym sessions, swimming, and cross-training have been crucial in enhancing her endurance and performance.

“I spend a lot of time on a cross-trainer,” she notes. “If I was to factor that in, my running mileage would go up.”

Preparation for a race, for Hodgkinson, resembles getting ready for a night out.

“The process starts two hours beforehand – I just enjoy it,” she explains.

Her routine includes a shower, fake tan, music, and doing her hair and make-up. “There’s nothing really to do on race day, especially if I’m racing at 10pm.”

Visualizing different race scenarios with her coach Painter is another key aspect of her preparation.

“Let others dictate your race and that’s when silly mistakes happen; panic after getting boxed in and you can bolt too early,” she cautions.

Reflecting on the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hodgkinson recalls hitting a lactic wall with 300m to go.

“The pack was so fast through the first lap. It really made us all hurt. We’d never done it that fast before.” On that occasion, it was her main rival, Athing Mu, who set the pace with Hodgkinson finishing as runner-up.

"She wanted to make it hard,” Hodgkinson acknowledges.

Despite the camaraderie with her fellow athletes during training camps, Hodgkinson remains competitive.

“On race day it’s game faces on,” she asserts.

For now, she relishes the challenge of pushing her limits.

“I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy being good at it,” she admits.

“When I was younger I used to love seeing how much pain I could put myself in, which sounds a bit crazy, but you do have to be crazy to do this event.”

Eliud Kipchoge names two things that stand in his way to making history at Paris Olympics

Eliud Kipchoge has revealed two things that will pose challenges as he looks to win his third Olympic title at the Paris Olympic Games.

Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge has cited two things that will be a challenge as he looks to make history by winning his third successive marathon title.

The five-time Berlin Marathon champion noted that he has already observed the course, admitting that the race will not be an easy task. He noted that it is not a flat course, making the race a challenge for all the athletes.

Kipchoge added that the weather in Paris is usually hot in August, making it the second challenge in his quest for top honours. Kipchoge will also be making his fifth appearance at the Olympics.

“I’ve gone through the course and it’s very challenging…it’s very hot in Paris in August and second, the course is up and down and that is a huge challenge to everybody. Nevertheless, I don’t want to complain because all of us will be running on the same terrain and the same weather,” Kipchoge told CGTN Sport.

The four-time London Marathon champion is also aware of the tough competition that awaits him on the global stage. He knows that everyone has prepared well for the race and it will be all about the one who executes the race well.

He also has sweet memories of Paris, since it was the first place where he competed on the global stage, competing at the 2003 World Championships where he won a gold medal in the 5000m. He will also be eyeing history, being the first Kenyan to make five appearances at the Olympic Games.

“All of us will be fighting and I always say that the best trained and the best prepared will carry the day. I’m excited to see how competitive the events will be from the short distance events, to the long distance, to swimming,” the two-time Olympic champion said.

“The year 2003 was the beginning of my life in sport and I can say I’m happy to go back there and compete and show the world where my life began and show the longevity and love for sport,” he added.

Paris 2024: Favorites and best value picks on the track

We are just four days away from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics and a little over a week from the start of the athletics events at the Stade de France. If you’re looking to place your bets for gold or want to know the favorites for each event (according to Vegas sportsbooks), we’ve got you covered with insights and odds to help you get the best value out of your picks.

Men’s 100m

Favorite: Kishane Thompson (JAM) -105 [world leader]

Best value: Oblique Seville (JAM) +900 

Men’s 200m

Favorite: Noah Lyles (USA) -290 [3x world champion]

Best value: Erriyon Knighton (USA) +1000 [2x world championship medallist]

Men’s 400m

Favorite: Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) +120 [world silver medalist]

Best value: Steven Gardiner (BAH) +350 [reigning Olympic champion]

Men’s 800m

Favorite: Djamel Sedjati (ALG) -250 [world leader]

Best value: Marco Arop (CAN) +1500 [reigning world champion]

Men’s 1,500m

Favorite: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) -225 [reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Josh Kerr (GBR) +175 [reigning world champion]

Men’s 5,000m

Favorite: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) -290 [reigning world champion]

Best value: George Mills (GBR) +4000 

Men’s 10,000m

Favorite: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) +120 [world record holder]

Best value: Berihu Aregawi (ETH) +600 

Men’s 110m hurdles

Favorite: Grant Holloway (USA) -500 [world leader and world champion]

Best value: Hansle Parchment (JAM) +1000 [reigning Olympic champion]

Men’s 400m hurdles

Favorite: Rai Benjamin (USA) +100 [world leader]

Best value: Alison Dos Santos (BRA) +300 [2022 world champion]

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase

Favorite: Lamecha Girma (ETH) -120

Best value: Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) +190

Men’s marathon

Favorite: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) -190 [reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Benson Kipruto (KEN) +900 [2024 Tokyo Marathon champion]

Women’s 100m

Favorite: Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) -225 [reigning world champion]

Best value: Julien Alfred (LCA) +700 

Women’s 200m

Favorite: Gabby Thomas (USA) +105 [2020 Olympic bronze medalist]

Best value: Shericka Jackson (JAM) +180 [reigning world champion

Women’s 400m

Favorite: Marileidy Paulino (DOM) -135 [2020 Olympic silver medalist]

Best value: Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL) +700 

Women’s 800m

Favorite: Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) -290 [Olympic silver medallist]

Best value: Nia Atkins (USA) +1500

Women’s 1,500m

Favorite: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) -285 [world record holder]

Best value: Jessica Hull (AUS) +1000

Women’s 5,000m

Favorite: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) -285 [world champion]

Best value: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) +750 [world XC champion]

Women’s 10,000m

Favorite: Sifan Hassan (NED) +120 [reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) +250 [reigning world champion]

Women’s 100m hurdles

Favorite: Cyrena Samba-Mayela (FRA) +250 [European champion]

Best value: Tobi Amusan (NGR) +1500 [world record holder]

Women’s 400m hurdles

Favorite: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) -700 [world record holder and reigning Olympic champion]

Best value: Femke Bol (NED) +300 [reigning world champion]

Women’s 3,000m steeplechase

Favorite: Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) n/a [world record holder]

Best value: Sembo Almayew (ETH) n/a

Women’s marathon

Favorite: Tigst Assefa (ETH) +250 [world record holder]

Best value: Hellen Obiri (KEN) +400 [2023 & 2024 Boston Marathon champion] 

Andre De Grasse named Team Canada flag bearer for Paris 2024

Canada’s most decorated male Olympian, Andre De Grasse, has been chosen by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) to carry the flag for Team Canada at the Paris 2024 opening ceremonies on July 26. On Wednesday, the COC announced that De Grasse will carry the flag alongside women’s weightlifter Maude Charron. Both are defending Olympic champions in their respective events.

De Grasse has never carried the Canadian flag at an opening or closing ceremony, and Paris marks the third time he will represent Canada at the Olympic Games. He will again be a medal contender in the men’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. Despite this being his third Olympics, this will be his first time attending the opening ceremony.

When asked if he would do Team Canada the honor of serving as flag bearer, De Grasse’s response was: “That would be a dream come true for me. I never thought that opportunity would ever come, you know, because of course being in track and field, we never get a chance to really go to the opening ceremony. So I mean, I’m excited just to even go and now to be the flag bearer for the country! I’m speechless–I’m trying to get the words out.”

The Markham, Ont., native has won six medals at the last two Olympic Games (one gold, two silver, and three bronze). He is the only sprinter in the world to win an individual medal in the men’s 100m at the last two Olympic Games. His 200m gold medal finish at Tokyo 2020 was the first Canadian Olympic gold on the track in 25 years and the first in the 200m in 93 years.

The 29-year-old has been a consistent podium finisher at major championships, winning a medal in every Olympic and World Championship final he competed in from 2015 until the 2023 World Championships. He finished sixth in the men’s 200m world championship final in Budapest.

De Grasse has returned to top form this season, winning his first national 100m title since 2017 at the 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials in Montreal in late June. Two weeks later, he ran his fastest 200m time of the year at the Gyulai István Memorial Continental Tour meet in Hungary, clocking his first sub-20-second time since the Diamond League final in September 2023.

He will begin his Paris 2024 campaign in the men’s 100m heats on Saturday, Aug. 3, with the men’s 200m and 4x100m events coming later in the week.

American sprint legend reveals Olympic heartbreak from 1992 Barcelona food poisoning

Michael Johnson recalls a disappointing setback due to food poisoning during the 1992 Olympics, affecting his performance in the 200-meters

Before Usain Bolt rose to prominence, the world of track and field was dominated by Michael Johnson, a sprinter who dazzled the athletics scene with his speed and charisma.

Johnson, who captured four Olympic gold medals across three different Games, recently spoke about what he considers the most disappointing moment in his illustrious career.

The incident in question traces back to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, a time when Johnson was at the pinnacle of his form.

Fresh off a gold medal win at the 1991 World Championship in Tokyo, Johnson was the favorite to clinch the 200-meter race at the upcoming Olympics.

However, an unforeseen bout of food poisoning just days before his first race jeopardized his chances.

“I had gotten food poisoning. So I was world champion, ranked number one in the world for two years, undefeated, and you know, a huge favorite to win the 200 meters at the Olympics,” Johnson recalled on High Performance podcast.

His condition arose shortly after a near world-record performance at the Olympic trials, where he had felt in the best shape of his life.

“It was about or so before I was competing," Johnson explained.

During this period, athletes typically reduce the intensity of their training to fine-tune their performance, a phase known as tapering.

"You’re in a taper mode where you’re basically just working on starts and very technical things,” he added.

When the Olympic races began, Johnson thought he had recovered, feeling fine at the starting blocks.

However, the reality of his condition became apparent as soon as the race started.

“Usually in a first round, I can just sort of run the first 100 meters of that 200 meters and I'm just kind of out," he said.

But this time, he found himself struggling unexpectedly, feeling as if he were "running in someone else’s body."

Despite winning his initial heat, the effort took a severe toll on him.

“I’m extremely weak and it takes everything. I win that race but just barely, and it took everything in me, and I knew immediately something's wrong,” he said.

His performance deteriorated further in the subsequent rounds and he ultimately failed to make the final.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Johnson described the experience as both disappointing and embarrassing.

“I knew of athletes who were world record holders, world champions that had the butt. That’s the one thing missing at that point," he lamented.

The Olympic gold in the 200-meters, which many had anticipated would be a mere formality for Johnson, remained elusive.

Johnson's resilience, however, is as legendary as his speed as he returned to win golds in later Olympics, including a memorable double victory in the 200 and 400 meters at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Yet, the sting of Barcelona remains a significant chapter in his career.

Looking back, Johnson appreciates the rarity of Olympic opportunities.

“One thing you know as an Olympic athlete, because the Olympics is every four years, not every year, you may never get back there. Most people make it to one Olympics. I was fortunate to go to three, but that’s rare,” he reflected.

Through his trials and triumphs Johnson's legacy as a sprinter continues to inspire athletes around the world.

His story is a poignant reminder of how even the greatest champions can face hurdles that test their spirit and resolve.

Paris 2024 Olympics: Veteran mile race Timothy Cheruiyot's counsel to government, Kenyans

The soft spoken 1500m runner will lead the country's charge for medals in probably his final Olympic Games appearance.

The 2019 world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has requested Kenyan fans and the government to show athletes the respect they deserve.

The 28-year-old explained that most of the time, athletes are treated like nobodies yet they raise Kenya’s flag high on the global scene.

Cheruiyot added that athletes go through several challenges and the last thing they expect is to be treated poorly by their fans. He disclosed that some sleep hungry and suffer challenges in training like getting proper training gear and grounds.

“There are a lot of challenges in terms of training and sometimes food in the camp. When you ask an athlete their background, you will be surprised because some athletes even sleep hungry,” Cheruiyot said on the Safari za Mabingwa show.

“However, maybe in two years or a year, they fly Kenya’s flag high and I would the like the government and Kenyans to give the athletes the respect they deserve,” he added.

The Olympic Games 1500m silver medallist had a disastrous season last year, finishing ninth in the semifinal of the World Championships in Budapest and failed to proceed to the final.

He recounted how Kenyans on social media came at him and spread rumors that his career was over after the performance.

Little did they know that Cheruiyot had just suffered an injury 10 minutes to the semifinal. However, he was bold enough to show up for and finish the race. He added that Kenyans will always praise an athlete when he/she is winning but the moment things get tough, they always turn their backs on the athletes.

“Last year in Budapest, people said my career was over but I had an injury. I got an injury 10 minutes to the call room since I had a tendon tear and it took time for me to heal. However, my management flew me out and I received treatment,” he said.

“An injury among athletes is something common but you have to take care and ensure you avoid them at all cost. When you don’t perform, people automatically say your career is over without even knowing the challenges you are going through.”

Muhumed, Smith win USATF 8K road titles at Crazy 8s 8K Race

The Crazy 8s 8K Race has been a staple in Northeast Tennessee for decades. Saturday night, however, marked the first time it would serve as the USA Track & Field 8K road race championship for both men and women.

The competition did not disappoint in the humidity of the Model City.

Warren, Bayless inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

The elite start went off just after 9 p.m. ET, with the finish remaining just as tight as the starting line. Ahmed Muhumed crossed the finish line first, arms outstretched, in a time of 22:26 to claim the men’s 8K road race championship.

The former Boise State and Florida State star missed out on the 2024 Summer Games, but earned a confidence-boosting win in Tennessee.

“I haven’t won any national titles – I came second in the 5K in New York,” he said. “The time – when I saw it I said ‘no way I just did that.’ It’s something that I can only dream of in terms of it being up there. But I didn’t really – I talk about splits on my watch, but I did not care about what pace I was running. It was all about competing and staying with the front guys.”

Isai Rodriguez finished just one second behind (22:27) in second place, while Hillary Bor claimed bronze with a time of 22:34.

In the women’s competition, former U.S. Olympian and World Championships participant, Rachel Smith, earned herself an 8K road race title with a time of 25:40.

“Any time you can win a national championship title, it’s so special,” she said. “I definitely don’t take any of these for granted, especially as I’m getting older. It’s always an honor to win a national championship title.”

Emma Grace Hurley took the silver on the women’s side with a time of 25:58, as Natosha Rogers turned in a 26:11 for third place.

Muhumed and Smith claimed a $5,000 prize and the title for their efforts, but said running in the Model City is a memory they’ll take with them, as well.

“This is one of the best environments I’ve been in, in terms of racing,” Muhumed said. “Just grateful for the City of Kingsport and the Tri-Cities and everybody who is out here supporting.”

“The hospitality and the event was so, so awesome,” Smith said. “I really enjoyed being here and I hope to come back again.”

Winfred Yavi eager to win Bahrain a second steeplechase Olympic gold medal at Paris Olympics

Winfred Yavi will be out to claim a second Olympic gold medal for Bahrain at the Paris Olympics after Ruth Jebet set the pace at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi has plans to emulate Ruth Jebet and win Bahrain the second Olympic gold medal as she heads to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Jebet claimed Bahraini’s first gold medal in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase at the delayed 2016 Rio Olympic Games and Yavi will be looking to reclaim the title after they lost it to Uganda through Peruth Chemutai at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The reigning world champion noted that this season, their main focus will be to surprise fans at the Stade de France with her impeccable run to win the women’s steeplechase. At the moment, Yavi is working on every aspect of her training as she looks to dine with the finest steeplechasers from across the globe.

The 24-year-old added that she knows every athlete who makes it to the Olympic Games has worked for that spot and she has a lot of respect for all of them.

“I have a lot of respect for each and every competitor who has qualified for the Olympic Games. My team and I are focusing on getting ready,” Yavi told Gulf Daily News.

“The Olympic Games are one of the biggest arenas in the world, and it is a proud moment for me. The best athletes in the world are at the Olympic Games. You have to prepare well.”

Yavi added that it’s incredible to fly the Bahrainian flag high once again as she looks to make an impact just like she did at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting in Eugene.

This season, she claimed her first win of the season at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris and will be looking to maintain her form to the Olympics. She had a faulty start to her season, finishing ninth at the Prefontaine Classic but managed a bounce back in Paris.

“It is an honor to have a team and a coach who I can collaboratively work together with. I am looking forward to the Olympic Games, and I am trusting the process. It’s incredible!” Yavi said.

World champions to headline 2024 Chicago Marathon

As we inch toward the fall road racing season, the 2024 Chicago Marathon is the first Abbott World Marathon Major (AWMM) to announce its men’s and women’s elite list. Last year’s elite races in Chicago saw two course records and one world record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum—something that will be hard to beat. But the 2024 field does not lack talent or potential, with former world champion and fourth-fastest marathoner in history Ruth Chepngetich headlining the women’s field and world 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo making his marathon debut in the men’s field.

The men’s race

Ebenyo has had a successful career on the track, winning multiple medals at World Championships and Commonwealth Games, but never individual gold. He is currently ranked by World Athletics as the top 10,000m runner in the world, holding a personal best of 26:57.80, which he set in 2023. The 28-year-old was not selected for the 10,000m by the Kenyan Olympic team for Paris 2024 after an eighth-place finish at the Kenyan Trials.

Although the Kenyan star has had success on the track, he has also flourished in his short career on the roads, winning silver in the half-marathon at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. He holds a personal best of 59:04 for the half distance and a world best over 25 km (1:11:13).

Ebenyo’s potential over 42.2 km will be hard to predict; many people had high expectations for three-time world 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, but he struggled in his marathon debut last December in Valencia, clocking 2:08:59 for 37th place.

Joining Ebenyo in the men’s field is 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, who has the fastest personal best in the field (2:03:13 from the 2022 Tokyo Marathon). Kipruto has podiumed at three of the six AWMMs and is known as one of the best tactical marathoners in the world. Chicago will be Kipruto’s first marathon since his seventh-place finish in Berlin last year.

The lone Canadian in the men’s field is Phil Parrot-Migas of London, Ont. This will be the third marathon of his career. He holds a personal best of 2:15:53, set in Hamburg in April.

The women’s field

At the 2022 Chicago Marathon, Chepngetich was on a world-record pace until the final kilometre, ultimately missing it by 14 seconds (2:14:18). This capped off her second-straight Chicago victory, following in the footsteps of her compatriot, Brigid Kosgei. Last year, Chepngetich was second to Sifan Hassan’s course record-setting run, in 2:15:37. Her personal best is the fastest in the field by a minute and a half, and with her experience on the flat and fast course, she’s going to be a tough athlete to beat come Oct. 13.

Besides Chepngetich, there’s a strong American contingent, consisting of three of the country’s top five fastest marathoners: Keira D’Amato, Sara Hall and Betsy Saina. D’Amato had a rough go at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, and was unable to finish, due to injury. Months later, she announced a coaching change and a planned move to Utah to train under distance running guru Ed Eyestone, the coach of U.S. Olympic marathoners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young. D’Amato, who will turn 40 in October, told Runner’s World she made the switch because she wanted a different perspective on her training and a chance to learn from someone new.

Saina comes into the race as the strongest American athlete, placing in the top five of her last three marathons, including a win at the 2023 Sydney Marathon. Sydney is currently a candidate to be added as the seventh AWMM, joining Tokyo, Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago and NYC.

Mary Moraa reveals what cost her glory at Tokyo Olympics as she seeks to make ammends in Paris

Mary has disclosed what cost her a medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and what she has done differently to ensure she is lethal in Paris.

Reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa has disclosed what cost her a medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and what she has been doing in training to avoid a repeat of the same.

At the Tokyo Olympic Games, the reigning world champion was eliminated in the semifinal after she finished third.

The race was eventually won by Athing Mu, who will unfortunately not be defending her title after falling at the U.S. Olympic trials and ended up finish ninth in the final of the women’s 800m.

Speaking about her experience in Tokyo, the 24-year-old noted that she was yet to master how the 800m well and the event was more of a learning curve. However, at the moment, Moraa noted that she knows better and she has the skills when it comes to running the 800m from the preliminaries, to the semifinal and to the final and eventually win a race.

She added that the team has been training well and she has enjoyed the company of Vivian Chebet and Lilian Odira who will be making Olympic debuts, competing in the 800m.

“I reached the semifinal in 2020 and now my big target is to reach in the final and get a medal. We have been training well as a group, I, Lilian and Vivian have been working together in training and we pray that God gives us energy so that when we get to the Olympics, we are able to run well and get to the final and bring back medals,” Moraa said.

“In Tokyo, I had not mastered the art of running the 800m well but now I have the experience and I know how I can run and get to the final and get a medal,” she added.

Moraa faces tough opposition at the Olympic Games, going up against Briton Keely Hodgkinson who finished second in Tokyo. Nonetheless, she is not putting pressure on herself ahead of her Olympic return.

She will certainly be more confident, thanks to the gold medal she won at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Paris 2024 Olympics: 5 races most likely to yield gold for Team USA

Team USA are big favorites to top the Olympics medal standings in track and field yet again and here are five races where the Americans will likely grab gold in Paris.

US Track and Field finally unveiled its team to the Paris Olympics where they hope to finish top of the medal standings yet again.

Team USA scooped seven gold, 12 silver and seven bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, taking their total medal tally from track and field to 26.

Heading into Paris 2024, there is optimism that they will increase their tally following the emergence of new runners, added to the star quality in the team.

The US team is comprised of world champions Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Grant Holloway among others while there are some like Kenny Bednarek who look in good form heading to Paris.

Pulse Sports looks at where Team USA is likely to win gold medals from on the track at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Men’s 100m

The USA men’s team has world champion Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and former world champion Fred Kerley.

Of the three, Lyles is hot favorite for gold in Paris and laid down the marker with his dominant performance at the Olympics trials.

He will likely face stiff competition from Jamaicans Kishane Thomas and Oblique Seville as well as Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, Bednarek and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. However, his experience and form suggest he will bag gold.

Women’s 100m

Another American tipped to win gold is world 100m champion Sha’carri Richardson.

Richardson’s bid for a double failed at the trials when she did not make the 200m team and will have all her focus on the 100m race.

That is not good news for her rivals, who include Jamaicans Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

She is joined by Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry on the US team but with defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah not in Paris, few of the other rivals pose real danger, making Richardson a shoo-in for gold.

Men’s 200m

Winning gold in the men’s 200m will be tough for the Americans but they have two good runners capable of achieving it.

Noah Lyles, who has won three world titles over the distance, appears favorite but Kenny Bednarek could just spoil his party which would still be a good thing for Team USA.

The two are joined by Erriyon Knighton but face a threat from Canadian Andre De Grasse, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and Briton Zharnel Hughes.

However, it is America’s race to lose and it will depend on how Lyles and Bednarek execute their strategy.

Men's 110m hurdles

Triple world champion Grant Holloway is joined on the US team by Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts but he is the man likely to win gold at the Olympics.

Holloway does not dominate outdoors as he does indoors but he is in great form as he heads to Paris having won all his races this year, including last week’s Monaco Diamond League.

Jamaican Hansle Parchment will want to defend his title while home favorite Sasha Zhoya will also pose a threat but Holloway is backed to improve on his silver medal of 2020 this time.

Women’s 400m hurdles

World record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will start as favorite despite world champion Femke Bol’s good form that saw her break the European record on Sunday.

She made her intensions clear at the Olympics trials when she broke her own world record again, clocking 50.65. Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones finished second and third to join her.

McLaughlin-Levrone is not only in good form but also in great shape to defend her crown and few will get close to her in the present condition.

Ambitious Tauta all set for Olympic debut

The national 400m champion Kelvin Tauta will have a two-pronged attack at the Paris Olympic Games.

In addition to seeking to impress in his Olympic debut, Tauta is keen on using the Olympics as a launchpad ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Tauta is part of the Kenyan 4x400m mixed relay team in Paris alongside Maureen Thomas, David Sanayek, Veronica Mutua, Boniface Mweresa and Mercy Chebet.

The 23-year-old said: “We are also going to fight for a slot in the final at the Olympics. This will be enough motivation as we look forward to 2025.” 

Tauta believes his strong start to the season will fuel his ambitions.

“My season kicked off on a high. I took part in the 4x400m World Indoor Championships and although we did not secure a podium finish, I am happy we secured an African record,” he said.

In Glasgow, Tauta, alongside Wiseman Were, Zablon Ekwam and Mweresa, clocked 3:06.71, shattering Nigeria’s record (3:07.95).

The Netherlands (3:04.25), the USA (3:02.60) and Belgium (3:02.54) secured the podium.

On May 22, Tauta claimed the national crown with a time of 45.09 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Last month, he featured in the African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, but failed to advance past the heats after placing fifth (47.49) in his preliminary round.

Tauta believes the training facilities at Kenya’s Olympic camp in Miramas, France, will be crucial for his improvement.

“The training equipment at Miramas are state-of-the-art. I am sure I will be able to improve and attain my targets,” he added.

He highlighted the rise of sprinting in Kenya and called for government support to develop the sport.

“We are improving in sprint events. Last year we had four athletes running 45 seconds, who have risen to about 10. The government needs to step in and support sprinters,” Tauta said.

'That is the only record I regret' - Asafa Powell on the 100m race he set a World Record in accidentally

Powell set a then100m World Record of 9.74 in 2007 despite intentionally slowing down towards the end of the race.

Jamaican sprint legend Asafa Powell, renowned for his blistering speed and dominance in the 100 meters, has recently opened up about a race he believes could have resulted in an even faster time if he had given it his all.

 The race in question is the 2007 Rieti meeting in Italy, where Powell set a then-world record of 9.74 seconds. Despite his remarkable achievement, Powell reflects on what might have been had he not intentionally slowed down towards the end.

In a recent guest appearance on Justin Gatlin's Ready Set Go podcast, Powell shared his thoughts on the race and the strategy that led to his impressive but bittersweet performance. 

The Rieti race took place shortly after the Osaka World Championships in 2007, and to this day, Powell holds the record for the most sub-10 second 100m races in history. 

He previously held the world record in the event until fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt shattered it in 2008 with a 9.68-second run at the Beijing Olympics, followed by an astounding 9.58 performance in 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

Reflecting on his performance in Rieti, Powell explained his strategy and the circumstances that led to his record-setting but somewhat unfulfilled run.

 "That is the only record I regret," Powell admitted. "This was after the world championships in Japan. We went to Rieti and in the warm-up, the coach was like, ‘make sure you get the 30 meters first.’"

Powell elaborated on the instructions from his coach, which focused on perfecting his drive phase and transition. 

"When he makes a command, I am like, ‘I am going to do it,’ so the coach was like, ‘we are working on your drive phase and transition. When you get to 70 meters, just back off the gas,’" he recalled.

True to his coach's directive, Powell executed the plan flawlessly.

 "I went out there and did just that, and when I crossed the finish line, I saw 9.74 and I was waiting for the clock to change or something. 9.74? I see everyone celebrating and I am like, I cannot even celebrate. This is just the heat. Am I going to go for the victory lap? I am just getting ready for the final. What am I going to do?" Powell recounted.

"I didn't even know what to do at that time. I see everyone celebrating. My manager was the first to get to the track and I am like, celebration? I need to get back to the warm-up. It was unexpected. I did not feel like I was running a world record at the time. I did not know what to do, but I think I ran that race flawlessly," he said.

Powell's reflection on the race leaves fans and athletes alike wondering what could have been. "I can’t even think about what I would have ran if I had kept on just going to the finish line. I would have ran 9.6 easily," he concluded.

Asafa Powell's legacy in the world of sprinting is undeniable, and his reflections on the Rieti race offer a glimpse into the mind of a true champion who continually strives for perfection.

 Despite the "what ifs" that linger, Powell's accomplishments remain a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to the sport.

The Issam Asinga Case: Evil Coverup or Did The Fastest High School Sprinter Ever Test Positive For Drugs After Eating Gatorade Gummies?

Six weeks ago, 19-year-old Issam Asinga, the fastest teen sprinter in world history, was handed a four-year ban from the sport of track & field after testing positive for the banned substance GW1516. Asinga’s positive sample came in July 2023, just days before he ran 9.89 seconds to become, at the time, the youngest person in history to break 10 seconds for 100 meters. Asinga, who had been provisionally suspended since August 2023 by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), appealed the decision to the AIU’s disciplinary tribunal, who ruled against him and upheld the four-year suspension on May 27.

Until then, the details of Asinga’s case had been kept secret. Now they are public, and potentially explosive.

Asinga, who maintains his innocence, blamed the positive test on contaminated Gatorade gummies he received at the company’s National Athlete of the Year ceremony in Los Angeles last summer, where he was honored as high school track & field athlete of the year. Asinga has already appealed his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where it is expected to be heard later this year. He is also mulling whether to launch a civil suit against Gatorade because the gummies in question falsely carried an NSF Certified for Sport label, which signified that the product did not contain any prohibited substances. NSF has made a public statement saying the gummies from Asinga’s lot number were not NSF Certified and the NSF Certified mark was being used without authorization.

“They distributed a supplement that wasn’t NSF Certified for Sport that had a banned substance in it,” said Asinga’s lawyer Paul Greene. “That’s violation of product liability law, negligence, implied warranty, New York state consumer protection law. I mean, it’s bad. He had the possibility of getting endorsement and NIL deals that were going to be in the millions of dollars and he lost all that as a result of this. He also lost out on the chance to compete in the World Championships and the Olympics.”

The AIU, however, was not satisfied that the gummies were the source of Asinga’s positive test, and its disciplinary tribunal agreed.

Incredible 2023 high school season

Asinga’s is one of the highest-profile doping cases in recent years. After running personal bests of 10.44 seconds in the 100m and 20.76 in the 200m as a junior in 2022 at Principia High School in Missouri, Asinga transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida for his senior year, where he improved enormously and produced one of the greatest seasons ever by a high school sprinter.

During the 2023 indoor season, Asinga won national high school titles in the 60m (6.59) and 200m (20.48) at New Balance Nationals, tying the national record in the former event (he ran 6.57 in the semis) and breaking the national record in the latter. Outdoors, Asinga ran a wind-aided 9.83 in the 100m to defeat Noah Lyles, who would go on to win the world title in that event four months later. Asinga, who was born in the US but represents Suriname internationally, then ran 19.97 in the 200m in April (#2 all-time among US high schoolers) and 9.89 in July to win the South American 100m title in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The latter time ranked Asinga in a tie for ninth in the world in 2023. It was also a world U20 record and was the first time a US high school athlete had broken the fabled 10-second barrier.

Now that world U20 record has been stripped as Asinga finds him at the center of controversy. The 43-page decision in his case released by the AIU presents only two possible versions of events.

Option A: An 18-year-old was caught doping barely a month after being added to the international testing pool. Then he or someone in his camp tried to cover up his doping by manipulating evidence and defaming Gatorade, one of the world’s largest sports nutrition companies.

Option B: One of the greatest sprint talents in history was unjustly banned after consuming a tainted supplement given to him by one of the most famous brands in sports.

Neither picture is particularly rosy for the sport of track & field, but one of them must be true. After reviewing the evidence, the AIU and its disciplinary tribunal is clear which version it believes: Option A. As a result, Asinga is banned from competition until 2027 barring a successful appeal to CAS.

Background: Asinga enters the testing pool

Most high school track athletes, even elite ones, are rarely drug-tested. But by the spring of 2023, Asinga was running so fast it was becoming clear he could be a factor at that summer’s World Championships in Budapest. He was added to the World Athletics Testing Pool on June 1.

Asinga was tested on June 11 and returned a negative result. He was tested again out-of-competition on July 18 (in his training base of Clermont, Fla.) and again at the South American championships on July 28. The July 18 sample tested positive for GW1516, a banned substance that modifies how the body metabolizes fat and has been found to cause cancer. Specifically, Asinga’s sample tested positive for low levels of two metabolites of GW1516 — a metabolite is a substance produced when the body breaks down a specific drug. In this case, Asinga’s urine contained the GW1516 sulfone metabolite (at a concentration of 0.2 nanograms per milliliter in both his A sample and B sample) and the GW1516 sulfoxide metabolite (at a concentration of 0.5 ng/mL in his A sample and 0.4 ng/mL in his B sample).

On August 9, Asinga was informed of his positive test and provisionally suspended from competition. Shortly after, in an effort to prove his innocence, he began sending his supplements to be tested for contamination at the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), a WADA-accredited lab in Salt Lake City. The first supplement Asinga sent, melatonin gummies, tested negative. Asinga then sent a larger set of supplements, including Airborne and Skratch Lab Hydration packets as well as Gatorade Immune Support Gummies and Gatorade Recovery Gummies, two new products he had received at the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year ceremony on July 10.

All of the supplements tested negative for GW1516 except the Gatorade Recovery Gummies. In December, SMRTL informed the AIU that of the five gummies tested, four were positive for GW1516. That much, the parties agree on. From there, the narratives diverge.

Contaminated during manufacturing or as part of a coverup?

Asinga said he began taking the Recovery Gummies shortly after the ceremony on July 10 — initially two per day, then less consistently before traveling to Brazil for the South American championships on July 25. He said he did not take any gummies to Brazil. Asinga declared the gummies as a supplement on the doping control form for his July 18 test and said he had no concerns about the gummies because the container carried the NSF Certified for Sport label.

Greene said the AIU was initially reluctant to share the results of the SMRTL analysis with Asinga because it viewed the test results of products from an opened container as unreliable.  (LetsRun.com reached out to the AIU for comment on June 2 but had not received an answer as of publication).

“Normally, SMRTL’s process and the AIU’s process is if there is a preliminary finding in a supplement, they don’t initially just tell the athlete straight away,” Greene said. “They try to go and find their own sealed version and test that too and then go to confirmation testing.”

But neither SMRTL nor the AIU could find a sealed version from the same lot number as Asinga’s gummies. So, after several weeks, the AIU relented and shared the news that the Gatorade Recovery Gummies had tested positive for GW1516. Asinga said he felt he was on his way to clearing his name.

“I was like okay, boom,” Asinga told LetsRun.com. “When I got that message, I was like, okay, finally we’re going to move forward.”

But the AIU did not agree with Asinga’s assessment and hinted at something far more sinister. In the disciplinary tribunal hearing, which took place over Zoom on April 30, Martial Saugy, former director of the WADA-accredited lab in Lausanne, Switzerland, served as an expert witness for the AIU and noted that the exterior of the gummies contained much higher concentrations of GW1516 than the interior of the gummies.

“I cannot see how these results would be consistent with a contamination during the manufacture of the gummies,” Saugy said. “These results point to an adulteration of the gummies at a later stage.”

Another key point: Asinga had opened both containers of gummies before sending them to SMRTL. And in SMRTL’s analysis, it noted a “large discrepancy” between the concentration levels of GW1516 between the containers. The two gummies tested from the first container each featured a concentration of at least 610 ng of GW1516 per gummy. Meanwhile of the three gummies tested from the second container, the highest concentration of GW1516 was 1.5 ng per gummy, and one of the gummies did not test positive for GW1516 at all.

This fact left open the possibility for manipulation; to be satisfied of his innocence, the AIU demanded to see a positive test from a separate, sealed container of gummies from the same lot number as Asinga’s.

Separate lot numbers bring questions

This is where things get complicated. The lot number printed on Asinga’s gummy containers was 22092117150234. NSF has issued a statement saying this lot number was not NSF Certified and the NSF Certified mark was being used without authorization. As part of the case, the Lausanne lab did test a sealed container of Gatorade Recovery Gummies, which tested negative. But that container was from a different lot number — lot 22092117150213, which was one of the lots that did receive NSF certification.

The gummies were not manufactured directly by Gatorade, but rather by a company contracted by Gatorade called Better Nutritionals, who manufactured the gummies for Gatorade at its plant in Gardena, Calif. As part of its case, the AIU called a former Better Nutritionals employee as a witness who testified that, for all intents and purposes, lots 22092117150234 and 22092117150213 were identical. This witness, referred to only as Witness B in the decision, made the following argument:

Witness B said lots 22092117150213 and 22092117150234 were part of the same batch of 20,000 jars’ worth of gummies cooked on the same day. That batch of 20,000 jars was separated into two lots: 7,500 jars (lot 22092117150213) would enter the marketplace immediately without the NSF Certified for Sport logo, of which a few would be sent to NSF for testing. The remaining 12,500 jars (aka lot 22092117150234, which included the gummies Asinga received) would be held back and given the NSF Certified logo predicated on NSF testing on lot 22092117150213.

Before NSF testing had been completed, lot 22092117150213 entered the marketplace without the NSF Certified logo.

By October 4, the 12,500 jars from lot 22092117150234 had been labeled NSF Certified. On October 18, Better Nutritionals received confirmation that lot 22092117150213 had been granted NSF certification, which was confirmed on the NSF website.

As proof that the two lots were part of the same batch, Witness B noted that the first six digits of the lot number, which refer to the cook date, were identical: 220921, or September 21, 2022. Furthermore, Witness B said the seventh digit refers to the specific production line used at the factory. Again, both were the same — 1, referring to the first production line.

Witness B said it would not be feasible to produce two separate batches on the same day, noting that a batch with 20,000 jars’ worth of gummies would take roughly 19 hours to complete with a minimum of eight hours to clean the production line between batches.

Witness B and another witness from Better Nutritionals (Witness A) noted there was no logical source for contamination as GW1516 is not an ingredient of any of the other products manufactured in the Gardena plant.

To simplify: one lot of 7,500 jars (lot 22092117150213) was NSF Certified but did not bear the NSF label. Another lot of 12,500 jars (lot 22092117150234) was not NSF Certified but did bear the NSF label, and that is the lot Asinga’s gummies came from. Better Nutritionals claims the two lots were cooked as one large batch of 20,000 jars, and as a result, the fact that one lot was NSF Certified means that both lots should be considered NSF Certified.

To represent him in his appeal, Asinga hired Greene, the sports lawyer who previously represented Jarrion Lawson, Shelby Houlihan, Peter Bol, and many others in their high-profile doping cases. Greene said he does not buy Witness B’s argument.

“There’s no such thing as two lots of the same,” Greene told LetsRun.com. “They’re not the same. Every lot is separate according to NSF and according to FDA rules.”

After it was informed of Asinga’s positive test by the AIU, the NSF conducted its own investigation and issued the following public notice on June 4:

Gatorade® Immune Support Gummies (citrus; lot number 22091937150233) and Gatorade® Recovery Gummies (cherry; lot number 22092117150234), manufactured by Better Nutritionals LLC, have been found in the public domain bearing the NSF Certified for Sport® Mark without authorization. These specific lot numbers, for these products, have not been tested, evaluated or certified by NSF and are not authorized to use the NSF certification mark or make any claims of NSF certification.

Furthermore, Greene noted that Witness B was terminated for cause by Better Nutritionals in December 2022 — the same month Better Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy.

Asinga asked a representative at Gatorade for a sealed container from lot 22092117150234 — the lot from which Assinga’s gummies came — but was informed that Gatorade Recovery Gummies had been discontinued for “manufacturing reasons” (Witness A said the gummies were discontinued because Better Nutritionals went bankrupt). The AIU and SMRTL also requested sealed containers from the same lot, yet Gatorade/Better Nutritionals only made containers from lot 22092117150213 available. Greene says that makes no sense. If the two lots are identical, Greene argues, why not send one from the same lot number as Asinga’s?

“Somehow they had several sealed versions from the 7,500 lot but nothing from the 12,500 lot,” Greene said. “I find it hard to believe they don’t have anything out there and it was an intentional choice to withhold it. It had to be. Why else wouldn’t they give us one from both? What’s the difference?”

If Gatorade has no sealed version, Greene says, they are in violation of FDA regulations, which state that supplement manufacturers must hold reserve samples from each lot they produce.

Marathon legend Catherine Ndereba finally explains why she retired unconventionally

Ndereba is widley regarded as one of the greatest female marathoners of all time, but she retired quite unceremoniously.

Marathon icon Catherine Ndereba has explained why she decided to retire without a lot of glamor back in 2012.

Known for her unparalleled achievements in the marathon world, Ndereba’s decision to step away from the sport without fanfare was driven by persistent health issues.

Between 2003 and 2008, Ndereba consistently finished in the top two in five successive global championship marathons. 

She twice won the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics and secured silver medals at the Summer Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008, making her Kenya’s first female multi-medalist. 

Her accolades also include four Boston Marathon victories and two Chicago Marathon wins. It was at the latter in 2001 that she broke the women’s marathon world record with a time of 2:18:47. In 2008, the Chicago Tribune’s Philip Hersh described her as the greatest women’s marathoner of all time.

Despite these incredible accomplishments, Ndereba chose to retire quietly in 2012. In an interview on the Safari Za Mabingwa show with comedian Obina on KTN News, Ndereba revealed the reasons behind her understated retirement.

“I stopped unceremoniously because I developed some problems. Just like with your car, as you continue driving it, you know it needs service. It may get in an accident or break something,” Ndereba explained.

A problematic ankle, which she had managed throughout her career, became overwhelming towards the end. 

“For me, I developed an injury that could not be fixed there and then. It is something that needs a lot of attention. I needed surgery but decided against it. I wanted to heal naturally,” she shared.

Ndereba’s right ankle ligaments were gradually torn over time. “I went to the doctor, who assessed and did all the images, including the MRI that showed exactly what was wrong.”

Despite the possibility of prolonging her career through surgery, Ndereba opted against it. “I did not want to have it. All that time in the hospital? And yet, I could not make a bigger name for myself after what God gave me. I was totally content,” she stated.

Ndereba’s decision to retire without seeking further medical intervention reflects her contentment with her illustrious career. Her legacy as a marathon icon remains intact, celebrated for her remarkable achievements and her graceful exit from the sport.

Olympic heartbreak: Sweden’s difficult selection policy bars top athletes

Swedish middle-distance runner Yolanda Ngarambe thought she’d done everything she could to qualify for Paris 2024 in the women’s 1,500m. She won her country’s national championship and was ranked inside the top 35 in the world in her event, yet the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK) decided not to select her; this marks her second consecutive Olympic snub.

Ngarambe isn’t the only Swedish athlete frustrated with the country’s selection policy, which differs from the World Athletics policy. There are several others, including 3,000m steeplechasers Simon Sundström and Emil Blomberg, who both sat in qualification spots via the World Athletics rankings but were passed over for selection.

“This will be my second time qualifying for the Olympics and my second time being denied selection by the Swedish Olympic Committee,” Ngarambe wrote. “I ran the Olympic standard for Tokyo 2020 and qualified via the rankings for Paris. Make it make sense.”

How Olympic selection works

For Paris 2024, World Athletics introduced a new selection policy with 50 percent of qualification places based on achieving the entry standard for an event within the qualification period (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024) and the other 50 percent based on the World Athletics rankings.

World Athletics’ qualification policy is a strict standard that all countries must follow, but some nations have implemented their own rules to ensure they are only sending athletes who are a threat to reach a final or contend for a medal.

According to Sveriges Friidrottsförbundet, for an athlete to be considered for Olympic selection, they must have achieved a top 12 result at a major championship (i.e., Olympic Games, World Championship or European Championship). Bigger meets, such as the Tokyo Olympics or World Athletics Championships, carry more weight. Even athletes who don’t meet these exact quotas may be selected if they have multiple results within a certain performance range, especially those close to the qualifying limit.

Sweden currently has only three female athletes competing in track events, plus a small track and field team of 22 athletes. (Canada is sending a team of 48.)

Ngarambe’s case

In Ngarambe’s case, the women’s 1,500m event had a strict performance requirement set by the SOK, between 4:02.53 and 4:04.33. Her season’s best of 4:05.19 stands outside the nomination range, so despite having a top-10 finish at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, she was not selectable under their criteria.

Sweden isn’t the only country that has implemented tougher qualifying standards. UK Athletics has been criticized for adopting the same “Olympic final or bust” selection expectation, which several athletes have spoken out against, saying it’s killing the sport of track and field in the U.K.

UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner criticized the organization’s former qualification marks, calling them “too soft” for the 2019 World Championships and 2020 Olympic Games. In an effort to increase Great Britain’s medal haul, UK Athletics has moved away from sending bigger squads and focused solely on the country’s best track and field stars. “You need to really focus on the big hitters,” said Bucker when questioned about the more difficult standards last year. “We could have a list of six to 10 names, and we need to be all over them. We need to identify where the medals are coming from and have the right resources in place.”

For Ngarambe, who will be 33 later this year, the Paris Games was her last opportunity to represent her country at an Olympic Games. “I’m now a two-time Olympic qualifier who has been denied selection twice by the Swedish Olympic Committee,” she says.

Simpson, Frisbie, Rodriguez, Estrada Commit to Run Crazy 8s 8K Hoping for USATF National Championshisp

With the announcement that the Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network Crazy 8s 8K Run will host both the USATF Men’s & Women’s 8K Road Championship Presented by Gatorade on July 20th, competition is heating up for both championships.

Olympic bronze medalist Jenny Simpson and Annie Frisbie will be two of the headliners in the women’s field with Isai Rodriguez and Diego Estrada the early favorites on the men’s side.“We’re off to a good start,” said co-director Hank Brown.

“We are receiving tremendous interest from some of the best runners from around the country. We’re expecting 40-50 elite runners in the USATF championship which will be very exciting.”

Simpson is arguably one of the more recognizable women’s middle/long distance runners in the United States. She won the bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the gold medal at the 2011 World Championships, and followed with silver medals at the 2013 and 2017 World Championships Simpson is a former American record holder for the 3000 meter steeplechase and has represented the United States at three Olympics – 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio.

Frisbie is on a personal tear recently, running personal bests in 2024 for the 10K (31:49), 15K (49:28), 25K (1:22:37), and half marathon (1:07:34, 1st place). She is running her best and is in excellent shape.In 2023, the men’s race came down to a sprint finish in J. Fred Johnson Stadium with Clayton Young outlasting Andrew Colley and Isai Rodriguez. Young will be going to Paris to run the marathon and Colley is nursing a sore foot, so Rodriguez will be the top returning finisher (Colley is still tentative).

Rodriguez has a 10,000 meter personal-best under 28 minutes and was the Pan Am Games 10k champion in 2023.Estrada is a veteran runner making a successful comeback in 2024. He represented his native Mexico in the 10,000 meters in the 2012 London Olympics, but became a US citizen in 2014 at which time became eligible to represent the USA in international competition.

He has an impressive 10k time of 27:30 set in 2015, and 5K of 13:31 at the Carlsbad 5K in 2014. He is now 34 and quite possibly running his best times in 2024.

He placed fifth at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in January, running a very fast 1:00:49, which is a personal best at that distance and tnen followed that a thrid-. place finish at the USATF 15K Championship in Jacksonville. In May he set an American best of 1:13:09 at the USATF 25K Championship, winning the Amway 25K River Run in Grand Rapids, MI.

“We are thrilled to have these guys and gals at Crazy 8s,” said Brown. “When we decided to host the USATF 8K Championship this is exactly the caliber of runners we were hoping to attract to Kingsport.”

The Regional Eye Center is offering a $10,008 American Record bonus for men who can break Alberto Salazar’s record of 22:04 (1981) or women who can break Deena Kastor’s record of 24:36 (2005).

In addition to the bonus, the race is offering prize money to the top 10 in the USATF Men’s and Women’s Championships.Sponsors are Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network, Gatorade, The Regional Eye Center, Eastman Credit Union, Kingsport Pediatric Dentistry, Food City, Martin Dentistry, Mycroft Signs, Culligan, Associated Orthopaedics of Kingsport, and JA Street.

Meet USA Women's athletics team for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Discover Team USA's women athletes ready for Paris 2024, featuring new talent and seasoned champions aiming for Olympic glory.

The Olympic track and field trials have concluded and the roster for the USA Women’s Athletics Team heading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is set.

This year’s team is a powerful mix of returning champions and new faces, each ready to leave their mark on the grandest stage in sports.

Pulse Sports dives into the details of each event and the athletes representing the United States.

Marathon

The USA women’s marathon team sees a complete refresh from the last Olympics, introducing Dakotah Lindwurm, Fiona O’Keeffe, and Emily Sisson.

O’Keeffe leads this group, having clinched her spot by winning this year's Olympic marathon trials in an impressive 2:22.10.

The team looks to build on the bronze medal performance from three years ago with this new, dynamic lineup.

100m

Sha'Carri Richardson is making a much-anticipated return to the Olympics in the 100m dash after missing the previous games.

Her trial time of 10.71 seconds shows she’s back with blazing speed and ready to compete on the Olympic track.

Joining her are Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, both formidable sprinters who have proven their prowess to secure their spots in this highly competitive event.

100m Hurdles

The 100m hurdles will feature an entirely new USA trio: Masai Russell, Alaysha Johnson, and Grace Stark.

Russell dominated at the trials with a swift 12.25 seconds, while Johnson and Stark showed exceptional skill, each clocking in at 12.31 seconds.

This team replaces the previous Olympic medalists and aims to bring a new energy to the hurdles.

200m

Gabby Thomas returns to the 200m, having won a bronze in Tokyo and posting even better times since.

Alongside her are Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long, both just hundredths of a second apart at the trials, setting the stage for a strong competition in Paris.

Notably, Sha'Carri Richardson, despite high expectations, will not compete in this event after finishing fourth at the trials.

400m

Kendall Ellis, Aaliyah Butler, and Alexis Holmes are the new faces for the 400m, each having run sub-50 seconds at the trials—a benchmark not met by the previous Olympic team.

Their performances suggest that they are serious contenders for the podium in Paris.

400m Hurdles

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone returns after setting a world record at the trials, clearly positioning herself as the favorite to defend her Olympic title.

She is joined by Anna Cockrell and newcomer Jasmine Jones, rounding out a team that mixes experience with fresh talent.

800m

With Athing Mu absent due to a fall at the trials, Nia Akins took the lead, winning the women's 800m in a commanding 1:57.36.

Allie Wilson and Juliette Whittaker also qualified bringing new energy to an event that saw unexpected twists during the trials.

5000m and 10,000m

Elle St. Pierre narrowly outpaced Elise Cranny in the 5000m, with Karissa Schweizer also making the team.

Schweizer and Parker Valby are waiting on world rankings to confirm their spots in the 10,000m, adding an element of suspense as they aim to compete in both distances.

Discus

Valarie Allman is set to defend her Olympic title in the discus throw, having dominated the trials with a throw of 70.73 meters.

Veronica Fraley, joining her, also showed strong form, ensuring that Team USA remains a top contender in this event.

Hammer

Annette Echikunwoke and DeAnna Price, both meeting the Olympic standard, are ready to improve upon their previous Olympic performances.

Their impressive throws at the trials indicate they are in peak form.

Heptathlon

Anna Hall, Chari Hawkins, and Taliyah Brooks are set for the heptathlon, each with their own story of redemption and debut at the Olympics.

Their diverse skills across multiple events make them versatile and formidable competitors.

High Jump

Vashti Cunningham and Rachel Glenn, both clearing the Olympic standard, aim to surpass their previous performances.

Their consistent top-three finishes at trials underscore their capabilities and medal potential.

Javelin

Maggie Malone Hardin is the sole qualifier for the javelin throw, her victory at the trials marking her as a key athlete to watch in this discipline.

Long Jump

Tara Davis-Woodhall, Jasmine Moore, and Monae' Nichols are set to represent the USA in the long jump.

Davis-Woodhall's recent silver at the world championships positions her as a favorite for gold in Paris.

Pole Vault

Bridget Williams, Katie Moon, and Brynn King, each having cleared impressive heights at the trials, are the pole vaulters heading to Paris.

Their collective performances suggest a strong potential for medal finishes.

3,000m Steeplechase

Valerie Constien, Courtney Wayment, and Marisa Howard, each having excelled at the trials, are prepared to make their mark in the steeplechase.

Their exceptional times are indicative of their strong conditioning and competitive spirit.

Shot Put

Chase Jackson, Raven Saunders, and Jaida Ross form a powerful trio in shot put.

Jackson's leading throw at the trials sets her up as a medal hopeful, while Saunders looks to add to her Tokyo silver.

Triple Jump

Jasmine Moore, Keturah Orji, and Tori Franklin are ready to challenge the distances that will be seen in Paris.

Moore's standout performance at the trials signals great potential for an impactful showing.

Elite Athlete Fields Set for 55th Running of AJC Peachtree Road Race

Two of the top road racers in the world will face off in the 55th Running of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, organizers announced today.

In his first season of competition in the U.S., Sabastian Sawe comes to Atlanta ranked as the #1 road racer in the world, based on distances from 10K to the half marathon. The 29-year-old Kenyan brings a personal best of 26:49, the second-fastest 10K time in the world last year, and the reigning World Half Marathon Champion sits on top of the 2024 leaderboard for fastest half marathon in the world so far this year, 58:24.

In a rematch of those 2023 World Half Marathon Championships, Sawe will face Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, 28, who earned a silver medal in that race last fall. Ebenyo was leading until Sawe drew even with a few hundred meters remaining, going on to a four-second victory. “We pushed each other to a good result,” Ebenyo said afterward.

Ebenyo, the 2023 World Championships silver medalist at 10,000 meters on the track, is ranked #1 in the world for 10K on the roads. His personal best of 26:58 is second in the Peachtree field only to Sawe. Both will be making their Peachtree debuts.

Among the other top athletes in the field are Mathew Kimeli of Kenya (27:07) and Boniface Kibiwott (27:13) of Kenya and Jake Robertson of New Zealand (27:28). Returning to the Peachtree for the 10th time is American Elkanah Kibet, 41.

In the Shepherd Center Wheelchair Division, course record-holder Daniel Romanchuk of the USA (right) will have a chance to make history as the first athlete in the men’s open division to win the Peachtree seven times. Romanchuk, 25, has won Peachtree for the past six years in a row, but will have to fend off American Aaron Pike, a six-time Paralympian, and Josh Cassidy of Canada, a two-time Peachtree champion.

he field for the women’s footrace is headlined by 24-year-old Emmaculate Anyango, whose 10K personal best of 28:57 makes her the second-fastest woman in history at the distance. The Kenyan is currently ranked as the #4 road racer in the world.

Countrywoman Chelangat (30:01) will challenge her. Anyango and Chepkoech, who is tied for 8th-fastest woman in history, will be making their Peachtree debuts, while Chelangat is back after finishing second here last year.

Also returning will be Susannah Scaroni (left), the 2020 Paralympic gold medalist at 5,000 meters. The 33-year-old Peachtree course record-holder will be seeking her fourth win here since 2018 and third in a row. Scaroni missed the spring marathon season with an overuse injury but is apparently back to form: She set a World Record for 5,000 meters on the track in early June.

The winner of each professional division will receive $12,500.

For the first time, the Peachtree will feature an Elite High School Division, giving the best young distance runners in Georgia the chance to experience professional road racing first-hand. The field is composed of the top 20 boys and top 20 girls from the classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027 residing in Georgia who accepted an invitation from Atlanta Track Club.

The 55th Running of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race will be held Thursday, July 4, in Atlanta, Georgia, with 50,000 runners and walkers making their way from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park in the world’s largest 10K. The event will be livestreamed on AJC.com and on the AJC News app beginning at 6 a.m., with Lewis Johnson, Carrie Tollefson and Amanda McGrory leading the broadcast team.

Noah Lyles breaks U.S. Olympic Trials 200m record

The second (and final) weekend of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, held at Hayward Field in Oregon, continued to be electrifying, with heart-stopping finishes and records broken.

On Saturday night, six-time world champion Noah Lyles kept his Olympic sprint double dreams alive by blazing through the 200m in 19.53 seconds—the fastest time in the world this year, adding to his 100m win from last weekend. Lyles wasn’t the only runner in contention for first place, only overtaking Kenny Bednarek in the final meters to secure the win. Erriyon Knighton finished third to make his second Olympic team; he received a no-fault violation from USADA in early June, after testing positive for a metabolite of trenbolone during an out-of-competition drug test in March, allowing him to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials this week.

Lyles’s performance broke Michael Johnson’s long-standing U.S. Olympic Trials record of 19.66, set in 1996. Lyles will be hoping for redemption in Paris after a third-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, his only loss in the 200m at a major meet. “You claim you’re gonna go out there and win four medals, so the goal had to be win the 100m and 200m,” Lyles told media post-race.“Job is accomplished. I’m right where I need to be.

Kelati conquers the 10,000m

Weini Kelati secured her spot for the Paris Olympics by winning the women’s 10,000m in a thrilling, extremely close race on Saturday. Kelati, who was born in Eritrea but defected to the U.S. a decade ago to pursue a running career, showcased her strength and determination in a tight race that saw multiple lead changes in the final laps.

Kelati crossed the finish line first in 31:41.07, narrowly beating Parker Valby and Karissa Schweizer, who finished in 31:41.553 and 31:41.557 respectively. While Kelati has already run the Olympic standard of 31:40:00 and has clinched her place on the team, Valby and Schweizer will have to hope their performances were enough to get them to the Olympics through World Athletics rankings, a decision that won’t be finalized until June 7th.

Richardson doesn’t make the 200m cut

Sha’Carri Richardson’s bid for a sprint double in Paris ended with a fourth-place finish in the women’s 200m. Despite a strong start, Richardson was unable to maintain her speed in the final stretch, finishing behind Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long.

Thomas, a bronze medalist in Tokyo and silver medalist at last year’s world championships in Budapest, crossed the line in 21.81 seconds. Richardson, secured her place in the 100m for the Olympics last weekend, when she won the women’s final in a new world-leading time of 10.71 seconds. In 2021, Richardson also won the 100m at the U.S. Olympic Trials, but tested positive for marijuana shortly after and was not allowed to compete; she’ll now make her much anticipated Olympic debut exclusively in the 100m, where she remains a favorite for gold.

Faith Kipyegon offers success tip to upcoming athletes

Faith Kipyegon has revealed the challenges of being a track athlete and how she manages to keep the focus ahead of the Olympic Games.

Double world record holder Faith Kipyegon has opened up on the struggles of running and disclosed how she manages to keep going through the tough times.

The three-time world 1500m champion explained that it’s not a smooth sailing and just like any other athlete, she faces hurdles in her pursuit for success but she does not allow challenges to pull her back.

She added that her main goal is to work hard and put in the effort as she looks to achieve the goals she has set. She is a testimony that nothing comes easy and from time to time, Kipyegon has also insisted on athletes working hard.

“It’s not a smooth sailing…it’s only that hard work and being patient is the most important thing. I know being patient and training hard will get me where I want to be,” the two-time Olympic champion said.

She opened her season at the Kenyan Olympic trials, where she punched the 1500m and 5000m tickets to the Paris Olympics, dominantly winning both races.

This comes after her final track race that was at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting in Eugene in 2023. She intended to open her season at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen but was forced to withdraw due to an injury setback.

The 30-year-old was then confirmed for the Prefontaine Classic but could not compete there due to the injury. After sealing tickets to the Olympics, she will be chasing history on the global stage, hoping to become the first woman to win three successive Olympic trials in the 1500m.

She will also be keen to win the 5000m gold medal, and etch her name in the annals of history. She made history at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary to win her third 1500m title and also claim top honours in the 5000m.

“It will be history to win the 1500m for the first time and focus on the 5000m…I know it will not be easy but I’m going to try and see what will be possible,” Kipyegon said.

Her next stop will be at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, France, where she intends to have a great build up to the Olympics.

Netflix series ‘SPRINT’ brings speed, drama and glory

The highly anticipated Netflix sports series ‘Sprint’ comes at the perfect time – both for the sport and for the digital age – according to multiple world champion Noah Lyles.

‘Sprint’ takes viewers on an exhilarating journey through the highs and lows of athletes’ lives as they battle it out for gold at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23.

'Sprint’ shines a particular spotlight on the rivalry between Lyles, 2022 world 100m champion Fred Kerley and Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs in the lead-up to last year's World Championships. The series not only showcases the athletes’ personas, it also delves into their lives off the track.

It reveals, for example, how Lyles – one of several athletes featured across the six episodes of ‘Sprint’ – overcame serious health concerns in his teens to become the poster boy for sprinting. The growth and evolution of world 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson is another key storyline throughout the series“Being part of ‘Sprint’ was an incredible experience,” said world 100m, 200m and 4x100m champion Lyles. “When I imagined the day where a docuseries would be created, I didn’t always envision me being the first person it would be about.”

Earlier this month, the series trailer was beamed across giant screens in New York’s Times Square ahead of an exclusive pre-screening at the Nasdaq Building in New York, where some of the stars of the show, along with other key figures in the sport, were treated to episodes one and five.

The full series is set to land on the Netlfix streaming platform and screens around the world on 2 July.

Speaking at the pre-screening, Lyles said that this series comes at the perfect time for the digital age that athletes are living in.

“We are rockstars in the top 1% and we live in the age of technology and social media,” he said. “It’s a part of our lives and we need an example of how the sport can go with it.”

Executive Producer Paul Martin expressed his enthusiasm and pride for the project. “It felt like a gift,” he said. “We’re incredibly grateful to be able to go into this world. It felt like we really wanted to go above and beyond to make the best version that we could. There was just something about doing justice to this sport and what these athletes put themselves through. World Athletics opened the door for us, for whatever we needed to get this series done.”

Ato Boldon, the 1996 Olympic 200m silver medallist, lauded the producers of the series, and forecasted that it will help expand the oldest sport in the world.

“We know we have some of the best athletes in the world, but we also know we have some of the best personalities in the world,” he said. “I look at this and say that this is going to open up a range of fans who casually follow these athletes, it’s going to grow our audience and engage fans that we didn’t even know we could get.”

Remembering Kristiansen’s barrier-breaking sub-15-minute 5000m

When Ingrid Kristiansen lined up for the 5000m at the 1984 Bislett Games, she was known as the former international cross country skier who had just become Europe’s fastest ever woman in the marathon.

It was only six weeks previously that the 28-year-old mother from the Viking stronghold of Trondheim had made her major breakthrough in athletics, storming through halfway in the London Marathon in a blistering 1:10:52 en route to a winning time of 2:24:26.

In the process, Kristiansen first peeped out of the considerable shadow of the great Grete Waitz as another formidable Norse to be reckoned with on the global running stage.

The London run elevated her to second spot on the world all-time list, behind the 2:22:43 recorded by Joan Benoit of the US in Boston the previous year, but ahead of Waitz’s Norwegian and European record of 2:25:28.7.

It was only fitting that the burgeoning Kristiansen should claim her first world mark on home ground, in the heart of Norway’s capital city on the hallowed Bislett Stadium track.

That was 40 years ago, on the evening of 28 June 1984.

‘Dead tired… pushed on by the cheers of the crowd’

The official world record for the women’s 5000m stood at 15:08.26 – to Mary Decker, or Mary Tabb as she had been when she set the figures on home ground at the 1982 edition of the Pre Classic.

In Apartheid South Africa on 5 January 1984 – and therefore ineligible for recognition – the barefoot Springbok wunderkind Zola Budd had run 15:01.83 in Stellenbosch. By June of the same year, Budd had already become a British citizen and was on her way to being rubber-stamped in the British team for the Los Angeles Olympics.

That night in Oslo, though, Kristiansen’s only rival was the Bislett Stadium clock.

After following Maggie Keyes of the USA through 1000m in 3:02.0, Kristiansen surged clear of the field, reeling off laps of 70-72 seconds.

Passing 3000m in 8:59.8, Kristiansen finished with the flourish of a 68.4 final lap before crossing the line in 14:58.89.

Off marathon training of 170-180km a week, she had become the first woman in history to beat 15 minutes for 5000m.

“I was dead tired during the last two laps but I was pushed on by the cheers of the crowd,” she confessed.

Aurora Cunha, the future three-time world road race champion from Portugal, finished a distant runner up in 15:09.07, followed by Briton Angela Tooby (15:22.50).

Back in sixth was Portugal’s European marathon champion Rosa Mota (15:30.63) – followed by Tooby’s twin sister, Susan (15:44.58), future mother of 2022 world 1500m champion Jake Wightman.

Holding a distance world record triple

Kristiansen was to go quicker over 12.5 laps. At London’s Crystal Palace in 1985, she clocked 14:57.43 but lost the world record to Budd, a clear winner in 14:48.07.

In Stockholm in 1986, however, Kristiansen reclaimed the record with a stunning 14:37.33.

That year she was at her zenith on the track, improving her own 10,000m world record by almost 46 seconds with a 30:13:74 run at Bislett.

Kristiansen was the first runner in history to simultaneously hold world records for 5000m, 10,000m and the marathon.

Returning to the London Marathon in 1985, she brought the women’s 2:20 barrier into sight with a 2:21:06 triumph that stood as a world record for 13 years.

Kristiansen also became the first athlete to claim world titles on the track, on the road and over cross country. Twice a winner of the 15km world road race championship, she won the world 10,000m title on the track in Rome in 1987 and the world cross country crown in Auckland in 1988.

Big heart and big lungs

Many attributed Kristiansen’s phenomenal success to the physiological benefits she had gained from giving birth to her first son, Gaute, in 1983. She felt it was more the edge she had gained from years of competitive cross-country skiing.

“I think it came from my cross-country skiing career,” she asserted. “It gave me a big heart and big lungs, and when I got my legs trained for running I was maybe a little bit ahead of the other runners at the time.”

As a cross-country skiing prodigy, Kristiansen won the European junior title in 1974, was selected as a reserve for the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck in 1976, and finished 15th in the World Championships 20km race in 1978.

She decided to concentrate on competitive skiing for several years after making the Norwegian team for the 1971 European Athletics Championships as a 15-year-old 1500m runner, Ingrid Christensen. But she got bumped off the track in her heat in Helsinki and failed to finish the race.

Her roommate in the Finnish capital was a 17-year-old called Grete Andersen, who finished eighth in the other 1500m heat, missing the cut for the final.

She also made a name for herself in future years: as Grete Waitz, the first of Norway’s barrier-breaking distance-running duo.

To Fight Midlife Blues, Try Mastering Something Difficult

How is it possible to become good at something when you’re already far behind and time isn’t on your side?

That was the question pressing against my brain in April 2018. I was four months shy of my 47th birthday and had just completed my first obstacle-course racing competition, something called a Spartan Race. My age put me at the rock bottom of the well-known U-shaped curve of life happiness, bracketed on either side by younger and older adults. I was content enough, but my days were clouded by sameness—the same work routine, same circle of friends, a narrowing of interests skewed to my competencies.

Trying to interrupt my midlife slump with this race was predictable, I suppose. What happened to me after that day was not.

As an unathletic desk jockey glued to my screens, training for the competition seemed like a way to fight back against inertia and a body heading past its prime. Obstacle-course racing combines endurance running in often difficult terrain with military- and hunter-gatherer-styled obstacles: crawling under barbed wire in mud, lugging heavy sandbags up mountains, climbing ropes, scaling walls. You even throw a spear. A version of the sport will be included in the 2028 Olympics as part of the modern pentathlon.

As someone who’d chosen bowling to fulfill my university’s physical education requirement and earned the nickname “Bones” in junior high for her physique, my goal was simple: Finish and don’t die. Then I’d go back to my sitting and screens, with my race T-shirt tucked in the drawer—a sartorial red sports car to don when midlife seemed bleak.

But in the days after crossing the finish line—a middle-aged athletic nobody who fell 10 feet off a rope during the competition into a crumpled heap of humiliation—all I could think about (apart from how much every part of me hurt) was: When can I race again? And how can I get better—a lot better?

I’d taken my first step on the road to mastery—a journey that has been profoundly humbling, and one that I’ll likely never finish. 

I n today’s culture, we celebrate “life hacks” and shortcuts to good health and happiness, whether through supplements, fad diets, five-minute workouts or the short-lived dopamine hit of social media likes. In the workplace, completing goals by setting and achieving KPIs (key performance indicators) often determines our professional value. These expectations can make it difficult to start something new and hard in midlife, when we tend to gravitate toward what we’re already good at and the rewards that come with completing it. 

At first, I certainly fell into this mindset. Closing in on age 50, “mastery” seemed vaguely absurd. Haunting me was the much-discussed 10,000-hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book “Outliers,” where he suggested that it usually takes that much specialized practice to become an expert in a discipline. Even with two hours a day of training—if I could manage that with a full-time job and loads of middle-aged responsibilities—it would take more than 13 years to hit the mastery mark. I’d be 60. Mastery, I felt, was a journey for those who start young.

But my experience and research over the past six years show that I was wrong to see the challenge in such stark, age-bound terms. As I discovered, pursuing something difficult at any age can have profound benefits for health and happiness, even if you never become a master or an expert. 

Becca Levy, a professor of epidemiology at Yale, examined data from one of the country’s most detailed studies of growing older, the Ohio Longitudinal Study on Aging and Retirement, and overlaid it with mortality data. She found that older people with more positive perceptions of aging live 7.5 years longer, on average, than those who are less positive.

One factor believed to fuel this longer lifespan is a “will to live,” which can include pastimes that excite and push us. This doesn’t mean we should be occupied all the time. There’s a lot of creative and mental good to be gained from putting down our smartphones, turning off the TV and letting the mind wander. But chronic boredom and a general lack of purpose have been correlated with anxiety, depression and risk of making mistakes. 

That feeling began creeping into my life before I discovered obstacle-course racing. But humbling myself among younger people in gyms, training nearly every day no matter how busy or tired, having the goal of racing in new places (like the Arabian Desert)—it has ignited in me a renewed will to live. I am constantly learning, relearning and unlearning.

I am also constantly having to be OK looking dumb.

The Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus mused that if you want to improve at something, you need to “be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” I’ve channeled his wisdom, flailing about on playground monkey bars as impatient children commented on my technique and their amused parents (my peers) watched. Neighbors can see me crawling around my backyard like a wounded animal, performing mobility exercises with stiff middle-aged limbs. 

I have felt the sting of finishing races almost dead last, and I once quit a competition midway because I was too cold. I’d never quit anything in my life until that point. Showing up at my gym the next day with everyone else clad in their finisher T-shirts felt like not getting invited to prom.

On the other hand, it’s very hard to be bored slithering under barbed wire in mud, hurling spears and learning to pull yourself up a 17-foot rope. And with improvement has come a mental shift to believe the file labeled “me” isn’t finished—that I can still add to it. 

These benefits are available on a variety of fronts as we age. The Seattle Longitudinal Study, started in 1956, is one of the most comprehensive research projects on how we develop and change cognitively throughout adulthood. Among its key findings: Some abilities, such as word skills, may increase into our 60s and beyond, particularly for women, while others, such as spatial abilities—think assembling furniture or reading a map—hold up into our 80s for men. That’s a lot of opportunity for later-in-life learning and journeys of mastery.

Here’s the thing about trying to achieve mastery later in life: You may not reach your destination. And I’ve come to believe that’s a good thing. Because unlike the enjoyable activities we pursue that have definitive endings—taking a walk, eating a great meal, going on vacation—training to get good at something hard is ongoing, incomplete. And that’s the beauty of it: There’s always something to look forward to.

Regardless of what you’re trying to master—fly fishing, chess, pickleball—experts say that regular movement of some sort is critical for maintaining the physical and cognitive health you’ll need. Starting a new exercise program, particularly in midlife, when noticeable decline often begins, “can really interrupt the pace of those not-good changes, those negative changes, and turn them into positive changes,” says Steven Austad, senior scientific director for the American Federation for Aging Research. New research, he adds, shows “physical activity is one of the best ways to avoid later-life dementia.”

Six years have passed since my first race. After some 4,000 hours of practice, I’ve advanced on the five-stage “Dreyfus model” of skill acquisition from “novice” to “advanced beginner” to “competence.” I now race competitively in my age group and have under my belt 19 top-three podium finishes and two world championship competitions. Some days, when everything is clicking, I may even touch the fourth stage of proficiency.

It’s a far cry from childhood, when I cowered behind my best friend during dodgeball and warmed my school’s bench in soccer games. Longevity is never guaranteed, but I’ve made strides to keep functioning independently as I age—lifting my suitcase into the airplane’s overhead bin, hiking three miles in snow if our car breaks down. I’m also more confident off the racecourse. Not long ago, I took a job with a tech start-up where I’m one of the oldest employees. Younger workers teach me about AI; I took a crew of them on their first Spartan Race.

Admittedly, I’m still coming to peace with the idea that I’ll never reach the final stage of “expert” at this sport I now love. I’ve met people who are experts: They possess natural talent I don’t, or have spent time training that I probably can’t at this point. There remain obstacles I fail during races more than I’d like; now that I’m 52 years old, I don’t know if that will change. 

These reminders of my limitations and mortality are what’s been most humbling about the experience. But “never finished” may be the best medicine when life seems to be making a turn toward endings. I interviewed a woman in her 80s nicknamed “Muddy Mildred” who ran obstacle-course races. How far can I get with the time that is left to me?

1. Intrinsic motivation gets you farther than extrinsic motivation. Motivation from external factors—money, a promotion, a medal—can be short-lived. “I can probably get someone up from the couch to run a 10K if I give them enough money,” says Chad Stecher, a behavioral health economist and assistant professor at Arizona State University. “But after that 10K, unless I provide additional incentives or support, their physical activity won’t persist.”

Instead, look for a pursuit where you are motivated to engage because of personal satisfaction or a deeper drive. One place to start: childhood. What did you want to be or do when you grew up, but it hasn’t yet happened? My experience of being a gawky kid still drives me.

2. Cultivate a “growth mindset.” Believing your success is tied more to hard work than innate talent is critical on the mastery journey. The well-known Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck talks about one Chicago school’s unorthodox but effective grading protocol, where instead of a failing grade, students would get a “Not Yet.”

You’re not going to become a good diver without landing a lot of belly-flops, or a competent fly-fisherman without the line occasionally getting wrapped up in a tree. It doesn’t mean you won’t get there; it just means you haven’t gotten there yet.

3. Locate edges and equalizers. Crystallized intelligence—your stored-up body of wisdom—can make age a secret weapon. The older you are, the more you’ve tried, failed, succeeded and learned. Draw from that bank. I can’t rely on a 25-year-old body to perform well, so I’ve turned to information: intel on gear, clothing, weather, hydration, terrain, sleep.

“When you’re older, you can see the bigger picture more than you could when you were 17,” says Alex Hutchinson, bestselling author of the book “Endure.” “It’s really easy to get excited about big goals, but to actually achieve them takes patience to take care of details, patience to stay on track when obstacles arise.”

4. Prioritize what’s essential. You can’t hack your way to mastery. It takes time and the “disciplined pursuit of less,” as Greg McKeown explains in his book “Essentialism.”

To include obstacle-course racing in an already full life, I trimmed my Instagram feed to mainly follow accounts helping me learn about the sport. After analyzing how much of my workday was spent in inefficient, hour-long, weekly one-on-one meetings, I cut most of them back to 25 minutes and set clear agendas. I declined all social invitations that weren’t from my closest friends and stepped away from many boards I served on. With every “no,” I got back a few more hours to devote to this new journey.

5. The mastery journey can be never-ending. And that’s fine. Finishing only that first race would have given me short-lived bragging rights and an awesome social media photo. But then it would have been over—extinguishing a source of meaning in my life.

It wasn’t until I firmly entered the realm of “never finished” that I realized how electrifying it could be. Which sure feels like a far cry from being stuck at the bottom of a U curve.

Why Daniel Simiu was not selected for the men's 10,000m for Paris Olympics

The selection panel has given a candid explanation of why Daniel Simiu was left out of the men's 10,000m team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The selection panel, led by Athletics Kenya Nairobi Chair Barnaba Korir has explained why world 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu was snubbed from the men’s 10,000m team to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

As per the International Olympic Committee, the first two athletes to cross the finish line automatically qualify for the event with the third athlete being chosen by a panel of selectors.

Daniel Mateiko and Nicholas Kimeli finished first and second respectively with Bernard Kibet finishing third in the race. Simiu stumbled and fell, but he had to push himself and could only afford an eighth-place finish at the event.

Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei weighed in and explained that all athletes had a n equal chance of qualifying and they all arrived at Oregon in good time ahead of the race.

“We had a bit of a challenge with the travel documents but made sure that all the athletes who had been selected to go to Oregon to go there for the trials, Ebenyo included. There was a challenge but we made sure they all ended up there and they came back safely,” Tuwei said.

Meanwhile, Korir explained that Simiu arrived in Oregon, two days before the race, and had enough time to rest and also prepare himself for the race.

He added that there was tough competition since most athletes had qualified and they scratched their heads to come up with that decision.

“The preparation of the team to go to Oregon was very rigorous and the team that was selection process was done by the technical bench and the coaches who have been engaging with these athletes.

“Every athlete who had the opportunity to go and compete was contacted and nobody was left out in this process. The athletes who have been selected have all qualified and the 10,000m is currently limited and they have very few races in Europe.

“The decision was that most athletes had qualified and give them an opportunity to race and give them a feel of the track before the Paris Olympics. The selection had some problems but every athlete that was supposed to go there made it.

“Ebenyo made it there two days prior to the competition and he had an opportunity to rest and he had an advantage. All of them were okay and ready and the coaches prepared the athletes very well,” Korir said.

He added the committee had to check the performance of Kibet and Simiu and they realised that the former had also been performing well and there was no way he could have been left out.

He added that they did not want to name the team in Oregon since making the decision would be tough and they had to come back to the country to sit down and come up with a team.

“The committee realised that the third athlete had been performing well in other championships and there was no way he would be dropped. Selecting the men was very tough.

“We did not name the team since we had to sit down and rigorously decide on who was going to make the team. They made the decision according to many other reasons and the 10,000m was superb and the run was amazing,” Korir said.

Meanwhile, Milcah Chemos added that Kibet has shown impressive performances in previous races and he also played a huge role in Team Kenya winning silver at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

She added that at the Prefontaine Classic, he fought hard for the third place and he deserves a chance. Chemos also believes that Kibet will not disappoint at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“I was in Oregon and I witnessed all that was going on, so for the number three, we came up with them because of their performance. All athletes had an equal chance in Oregon and we all saw how Bernard did his best especially when the light had gone, he tried so had to close the gap.

“In Budapest, he also played a huge role in ensuring Kenya won the silver medal. It was hard to give out the number three but at least we sat, almost 10 of us, and we came up with the number three and I believe he deserves the position,” Chemos said.

What You Need to Know About the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials

From June 21-30, more than 900 runners, throwers, and jumpers will put it all on the line for a chance to compete for Team USA at the Paris Olympics

The U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials is a showcase of hundreds of America’s best track and field athletes who will be battling for a chance to qualify for Team USA and compete in this summer’s Paris Olympics. For many athletes competing in Eugene, simply making it on to the start line is a life-long accomplishment. Each earned their spot by qualifying for the trials in their event(s). The athlete qualifier and declaration lists are expected to be finalized this week.

But for the highest echelon of athletes, the trials defines a make-or-break moment in their career. Only three Olympic team spots (in each gender) are available in each event, and given the U.S. depth in all facets of track and field—sprints, hurdles, throws, jumps, and distance running events—it’s considered the world’s hardest all-around team to make. How dominant is the U.S. in the world of track and field? It has led the track and field medal count at every Olympics since 1984.

At the trials, there are 20 total events for women and men—10 running events from 100 meters to 10,000 meters (including two hurdles races and the 3,000-meter steeplechase), four throwing events (discus, shot put, javelin, and hammer throw), four jumping events (long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault), the quirky 20K race walking event, and, of course, the seven-event heptathlon (women) and the 10-event decathlon (men).

(At the Olympics, Team USA will also compete in men’s and women’s 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relays, plus a mixed gender 4×400, and a mixed gender marathon race walk. The athletes competing on these teams will be drawn from those who qualify for Team USA in individual events, along with alternates who are the next-best finishers at the trials.

There’s also the Olympic marathon, but the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon was held on February 3 in Orlando, Florida, to give the athletes enough time to recover from the demands of hammering 26.2 miles before the big dance in Paris.

Although some countries arbitrarily select their Olympic track and field teams, the U.S. system is equitable for those who show up at the Olympic Trials and compete against the country’s best athletes in each particular event. There’s just one shot for everyone, and if you finish among the top three in your event (and also have the proper Olympic qualifying marks or international rankings under your belt), you’ll earn the opportunity of a lifetime—no matter if you’re a medal contender or someone who burst onto the scene with a breakthrough performance.

The top performers in Eugene will likely be contenders for gold medals in Paris. The list of American stars is long and distinguished, but it has to start with sprinters Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, who will be both competing in the coveted 100 and 200 meters. Each athlete won 100-meter titles at last summer’s world championships in Budapest and ran on the U.S. gold-medal 4×100 relays. (Lyles also won the 200) Each has been running fast so far this spring, but more importantly, each seems to have the speed, the skill, and swagger it takes to become an Olympic champion in the 100 and carry the title of the world’s fastest humans.

But first they have to qualify for Team USA at the Olympic Trials. Although Lyles is the top contender in the men’s 100 and second in the world with a 9.85-second season’s best, five other U.S. athletes have run sub-10-second efforts already this season. Richardson enters the meet No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 3 in the world in the women’s 100 (10.83), but eight other Americans have also broken 11 seconds. That will make the preliminary heats precariously exciting and the finals (women’s on June 22, men’s on June 23) must-see TV.

There are five returning individual Olympic gold medalists competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials with the hopes of repeating their medals in Paris—Athing Mu (800 meters), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (400-meter hurdles), Katie Moon (pole vault), Vallarie Allman (discus), and Ryan Crouser (shot put)—but there are more than a dozen other returning U.S. medalists from the Tokyo Olympics, as well as many more from the 2023 world championships, including gold medalists Chase Ealey (shot put), Grant Holloway (110-meter hurdles), Laulauga Tausaga (discus), and Crouser (shot put).

The most talented athlete entered in the Olympic Trials might be Anna Hall, the bronze and silver medalist in the seven-event heptathlon at the past two world championships. It’s an epic test of speed, strength, agility, and endurance. In the two-day event, Hall and about a dozen other women will compete in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meters, long jump, javelin throw, and 800 meters, racking up points based on their performance in each event. The athletes with the top three cumulative totals will make the U.S. team. At just age 23, Hall is poised to contend for the gold in Paris, although Great Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the world champion in 2019 and 2023, is also still in search of her first Olympic gold medal after injuries derailed her in 2016 and 2021.

If you can find your way to Eugene—and can afford the jacked-up hotel and Airbnb prices in town and nearby Springfield—you can watch it live in person at Hayward Field. Rebuilt in 2021, it’s one of the most advanced track and field facilities in the world, with an extremely fast track surface, a wind-blocking architectural design, and 12,650 seats that all offer great views and close-to-the-action ambiance. Tickets are still available for most days, ranging from $45 to $195.

If you can’t make it to Eugene, you can watch every moment of every event (including preliminary events) via TV broadcasts and livestreams. The U.S. Olympic Trials will be broadcast live and via tape delay with 11 total broadcast segments on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. All finals will air live on NBC during primetime and the entirety of the meet will be streamed on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com and the NBC/NBC Sports apps.

The Olympic Trials will be replete with young, rising stars. For example, the men’s 1500 is expected to be one of the most hotly contested events and the top three contenders for the Olympic team are 25 and younger: Yared Nuguse, 25, the American record holder in the mile (3:43.97), Cole Hocker, 23, who was the 2020 Olympic Trials champion, and Hobbs Kessler, 21, who turned pro at 18 just before racing in the last Olympic Trials. Sprinter Erriyon Knighton, who turned pro at age 16 and ran in the Tokyo Olympics at age 17, is still only 20 and already has two world championships medals under his belt. Plus, the biggest track star from the last Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, is aiming for her third Olympics and third Olympic gold (she won the 400-meter hurdles and was on the winning 4×400 relay in Tokyo), and she’s only 24.

Several young collegiate stars could earn their place on the U.S. team heading to Paris after successful results in the just-completed NCAA championships. Leading the way are double-NCAA champions McKillenzie Long, 23, a University of Mississippi senior who enters the trials ranked sixth in the world in the 100 (10.91) and first in the 200 (21.83), and Parker Valby, a 21-year-old junior at the University of Florida, who ranks fifth in the U.S. in the 5,000 meters (14:52.18) and second in the 10,000 meters (30:50.43). Top men’s collegiate runners include 5,000-meter runner Nico Young (21, Northern Arizona University), 400-meter runner Johnnie Blockburger (21, USC), and 800-meter runners Shane Cohen (22, Virginia) and Sam Whitmarsh (21, Texas A&M).

It’s very likely. Elle St. Pierre is the top-ranked runner in both the 1500 and the 5,000, having run personal bests of 3:56.00 (the second-fastest time in U.S. history) and 14:34.12 (fifth-fastest on the U.S. list) this spring. Although she’s only 15 months postpartum after giving birth to son, Ivan, in March 2023, the 29-year-old St. Pierre is running better and faster than ever. In January, she broke the American indoor record in the mile (4:16.41) at the Millrose Games in New York City, then won the gold medal in the 3,000 meters at the indoor world championships in Glasgow in March.

St. Pierre could be joined by two world-class sprinters. Nia Ali, 35, the No. 2 ranked competitor in the 100-meter hurdles and the 2019 world champion, is a mother of 9-year-old son, Titus, and 7-year-old daughter, Yuri. Quanera Hayes, 32, the eighth-ranked runner in the 400 meters, is the mother to 5-year-old son, Demetrius. Hayes, a three-time 4×400 relay world champion, finished seventh in the 400 at the Tokyo Olympics.

Meanwhile, Kate Grace, a 2016 Olympian in the 800 meters who narrowly missed making Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, is back running strong at age 35 after a two-year hiatus during which she suffered from a bout of long Covid and then took time off to give birth to her son, River, in March 2023.

No, unfortunately, there are a few top-tier athletes who are hurt and won’t be able to compete. That includes Courtney Frerichs (torn ACL), the silver medalist in the steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021; Alicia Monson (torn medial meniscus), a 2020 Olympian in the 10,000 meters, the American record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and the fifth-place finisher in the 5,000 at last year’s world championships; and Joe Klekcer (torn adductor muscle), who was 16th in the Tokyo Olympics and ninth in the 2022 world championships in the 10,000. Katelyn Tuohy, a four-time NCAA champion distance runner for North Carolina State who turned pro and signed with Adidas last winter, is also likely to miss the trials due to a lingering hamstring injury. There is also some doubt about the status of Athing Mu (hamstring), the Tokyo Olympics 800-meter champion, who has yet to race in 2024.

Meanwhile, Emma Coburn, a three-time Olympian, 2017 world champion, and 10-time U.S. champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, broke her ankle during her season-opening steeplechase in Shanghai on April 27. She underwent surgery a week later, and announced at the time that she would miss the trials, but has been progressing quickly through her recovery. If both she and Frerichs miss the meet, it will leave the door wide open for a new generation of steeplers—including 2020 Olympian Valerie Constein, who’s back in top form after tearing her ACL at a steeplechase in Doha and undergoing surgery last May.

The U.S. earned 41 medals in track and field at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo—including 10 gold medals—which ranked second behind China’s 51. This year’s Paralympics will follow the Olympics from August 28-September 8 in Paris.

The 2024 U.S. Paralympic Trials for track and field will be held from July 18-20 at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, and Paralympic stars Nick Mayhugh, Brittni Mason, Breanna Clark, Ezra Frech, and Tatyana McFadden are all expected to compete.

In 2021 at the Tokyo Paralympics, Mayhugh set two new world records en route to winning the 100 meters (10.95) and 200 meters (21.91) in the T-37 category, and also took the silver medal in the 400 meters (50.26) and helped the U.S. win gold and set a world record in the mixed 4×100-meter relay (45.52). Clark returns to defend her Paralympic gold in the T-20 400 meters, while McFadden, a 20-time Paralympic medalist who also competed on the winning U.S. mixed relay, is expected to compete in the T-54 5,000 meters (bronze medal in 2021).

Livestream coverage of the U.S. Paralympic Trials for track and field will be available on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, and the NBC/NBC Sports app, with TV coverage on CNBC on July 20 (live) and July 21 (tape-delayed).

Under Armour Diversity Series: Toronto’s Karla Del Grande

For multiple world record holder Karla Del Grande, age is just a state of mind.

Under Armour has teamed up with Canadian Running to produce the Under Armour Diversity Series—an exclusive feature content series designed to highlight and promote individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to grow the sport of running, support those who are underrepresented and help others. The series features stories and podcasts highlighting these extraordinary Canadians who are making a difference in their communities and on the national running scene.

Karla Del Grande has a few big goals: First, she wants to set another world record, and take home another medal at World Masters Athletics Championships this year. She wants to support her track team at Variety Village in Toronto. And she really, really wants masters athletes to know that the track is open to everyone.

After all, she didn’t find her way there until she was nearly 50 years old. Now, at 71, she’s become a poster-woman of the sport in Canada, thanks to her indomitable record-setting, her sheer dedication to the sport and her love of bringing new people in.

We met up on a snowy day in March at Variety Village, where she trains and runs with the Variety Village Athletics Club. I arrived late, just in time to catch the last 15 minutes of her workout class. Rather than let me stand on the sidelines, she jogged over, grabbed me by the hand, and pulled me into the group class, where athletes of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities started doing rubber band work with a partner. 

(“Everybody has the right to be part of a gym and have that social connection, no matter who you are, whether you’re a wheelchair user, or you have a mobility issue or anything else,” says Jill Ross Moreash, the class instructor, a former teacher and one of the fittest women I’ve ever seen, told me after class.)

Del Grande handed me a band after I shucked my winter coat and shoes. “You can be my partner,” she said. The workout was not easy.

This isn’t the first time Del Grande has helped bring someone into one of the workout classes. She recalls another snowy day, when she was heading into Variety Village for track practice, and she noticed an older woman standing next to her car, looking bereft. Del Grande started up a conversation, quickly learning the woman had recently been widowed and was hoping to find some conversation and community, but was overwhelmed about going into the gym. Del Grande shepherded her in, gave her a tour, helped her get signed up and brought her to class. She’s so well known as a woman who brings people into the community that she’s honoured on the wall at Variety Village.

That’s how she is on the track, as well: open and generous with her time (while still training to set world records, of course).

As a young girl, Del Grande was sporty, but she and her gym bestie (a race walker named Nicky Slovitt) both recall how, in gym class when they were in school, girls weren’t encouraged to run. That whole bit about our ovaries falling out if we sprinted or high jumped? Not a joke, if you were a gym teacher in the 60s, apparently. They believed it.

The track club at Variety Village isn’t just masters athletes; head coach Jamal Miller has created a vast community of runners ranging from pre-teens to the 70+ age group, with elite runners training alongside new track athletes. “We’re the best kept secret in Scarborough,” says assistant coach Katie Watkins. “We’re in a little bubble of what the world should be. Our track club is quite a diverse team. We cater to people of all abilities, from those living with disabilities to grassroots runners, starting off at age four, all the way up to world champions. The unique part about Jamal and how he trains is that if you’re interested, and you want to try it, he wants to work with you.”

Del Grande is at Variety Village early most days of the week. On Monday, she swims or aqua-jogs, then does weights. (“It’s a longevity thing,” she says. “You need to have balance between focusing on performance but also thinking toward longevity.”) Tuesday, she trains on the indoor track that runs around Variety VIllage’s main gym space. Wednesday is another weight session, this time in a class, and she runs again Thursday. Friday through Sunday depend on what her competition schedule looks like–when we met up on Wednesday, she was racing on Sunday, so the rest of the week was relatively easy, to prepare for that.

Del Grande found the track by accident–a work friend introduced her to running workouts on the track, and it grew from there. At the time, she did casual 5K and 10K runs and races, but she wouldn’t call herself a runner. Her friend brought her along to a track workout held by a local shop. “I really liked the short stuff,” she recalls. “We’d be doing track workouts and everybody else would be complaining that you had to go fast, and going around the track over and over was boring. But I loved it. And  finally somebody said, ‘Well, why aren’t you racing it?'”

It was a lightbulb moment. “I thought adults just did road races,” she says. “It’s very hard to get out the information about the sprinting. But it exists–and there are adults doing high jump and shot put and all the other track and field sports, as well.”

She signed up, one thing led to another, and now, she’s one of the fastest female masters athletes in Canada.

“We always say that you’re never too old, you’re only too young to join Canadian Masters Athletics,” she laughs.

Noah Lyles says his goal is to win four gold medals in Paris

The world 100m champion appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and said he wants to become the first male sprinter to win four Olympic gold medals.

The world 100m champion, Noah Lyles, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Monday night to discuss his role in the upcoming Netflix documentary series “Sprint” and his goals for the Paris Olympics. Lyles confidently stated his ambition to achieve something no male track and field athlete has done before: win four gold medals at a single Olympics.

“Everyone knows Usain Bolt; I want to be faster and more decorated than Bolt,” Lyles told Jimmy Fallon. “He’s done three. I want four, that’s the Mount Rushmore–now you’re the greatest of the great.”

At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Lyles became the first athlete to win the sprint double (100m and 200m) at a major championship since Bolt did so at Rio 2016. He added another gold medal in the men’s 4x100m, where Team USA redeemed themselves after finishing second to Canada in 2022 on home soil.

For Lyles to win four gold in Paris, he would need to win the 100m and 200m, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.

Only two athletes have won four medals at one Olympic Games: U.S. sprint icon Florence Griffith-Joyner won three golds and one silver medal (in the 4x400m) at Seoul in 1988. Fanny Blankers-Koen of The Netherlands is the only athlete to win four golds–at the 1948 Olympics in London, where she won the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and 80m hurdles.

When Fallon asked Lyles why he wanted to put extra pressure on himself for Paris, Lyles said his goal is to win Olympic medals and break world records. “It’s been a long time since someone has done it, but growing up, I’ve always felt like that title belongs to me.” Bolt’s world records of 9.58 in the 100m, and 19.19 in the 200m have been untouched for the past 15 years.

Despite being the world champion in the 100m and 200m, Lyles’s first test will come at the USATF Olympic Trials from July 21-30 in Eugene, Ore., where he will aim to make his second Olympic team. The top three finishers in each event at trials will secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, provided they have met the Olympic standard or are in the World Athletics rankings quota.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen wins historic sixth European gold in record time

On Wednesday night at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen became the first track athlete in history to earn six European gold medals, winning the men’s 1,500m with a championship record of 3:31.95. This marks his third consecutive European 1,500m title.

Ingebrigtsen showcased his tactical prowess by initially taking the back of the pack on the first lap. After a swift 56-second start, he surged to the front, slowed the pace, then accelerated again to win gold. He finished two seconds ahead of Belgium’s Jochem Vermeulen and Italy’s Pietro Arese, both of whom earned their first senior European championship medals.

The Ingebrigtsen family, including Jakob’s brothers Filip and Henrik, have dominated the men’s 1,500m at the European Championships, winning the last five gold medals since 2012. The last three European 1,500m titles have been won by Jakob.

Earlier in the championships, Ingebrigtsen also won gold in the men’s 5,000m event. This is the third time he has achieved the 1,500m/5,000m double at the European Championships, having previously done so in Munich in 2022 and Berlin in 2018.

Notably absent from the championships was Ingebrigtsen’s rival, 1,500m world champion Josh Kerr, who opted to skip the 2024 European Championships to focus on the British Olympic Trials and the Olympics in Paris. Earlier this season, Kerr got the best of Ingebrigtsen in the Bowerman Mile at the Eugene Diamond League in Oregon. He is the only man to beat him twice. (Kerr also outran him at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.)

The next likely encounter between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr will be at the Paris Olympic Games.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on her U.S. Olympic Trials prep ahead of Paris 2024

With the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track and field just few days away, the building blocks seem to be coming together for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

"I'm feeling good," McLaughlin-Levrone told a small cluster of reporters at the USATF NYC Grand Prix on Sunday (9 June) after she soared to victory in the open 400m.

"Good" could be an understatement: She was just 0.05 seconds off of Sanya Richards Ross' 48.70 from 2006, the American record, in what was McLaughlin-Levrone's first outing in the event in the 2024 season.

"OMG. That was unbelievable!" a more expressive - and perhaps somehwat relieved - Richards Ross said in the NBC commentary booth after Sydney's 48.75. "Wow. Wow. Wow! Great run by Sydney!"

The time was a world lead in the event.

It came a little more than a week after her best-of-the-season 52.70 in the 400m hurdles - the event in which she is the world record holder and reigning Olympic champion.

"I'll take that," McLaughlin-Levrone said of the time and the victory, even if it wasn't exactly what she was going for. "[I wanted] the American record," she added when asked about the hope for the day.

The 24-year-old appears to have a one-track mind with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 drawing ever closer. The last five weeks have entailed five wins across four different events: The 400m flat, 200m, 100m hurdles and - her signature - 400m hurdles.

"I'm sure Bobby will have some notes for me," she said, cracking a smile when bringing up legendary coach Bobby Kersee after her New York win.

SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN-LEVRONE: EYES ON PARIS 2024

McLaughlin-Levrone let her speed do the talking in New York with the 21 June start at Trials in Eugene, Oregon: "I'm just getting ready for the Trials... getting ready for the Games," she said.

She sat on the track for a good 10 minutes at Icahn Stadium in NYC after her win, catching her breath and doing a light amount of stretching. She's still cautious of the knee injury that interrupted her 2023 season, forcing her out of the World Championships.

The team is attacking from a technical perspective. Facing a headwind on Sunday, she was forced to dig deep in her training to finish strong.

"I wanted to get out there and get a race under me," she said on NBC of the 400m. "It's working on the back-end work. Working on coming home. I'm going to need it for those hurdles."

After her 52.70 world lead in the 400m hurldes on 31 May, Femke Bol, the Olympic bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020 in 2021, went 53.07 two days later at the Diamond League stop in Stockholm.

"I'm going to go back home and continue to plan some stuff," McLaughlin-Levrone said in New York.

A mere 0.05 off a national record, McLaughlin-Levrone shrugged it off in a way.

"I don't think I would count that as 'crazy,'" she said in response to one reporter.

A minute later, Sydney was thanking reporters and walking away... clearly determined to get to the next step in her path towards another Olympic podium.

U.S. sprinter Fred Kerley calls out track meet for bad starting blocks

This was supposed to be Kerley's first 100m since he stated he'd break Usain Bolt's world record the next time he raced the distance.

Former world 100m champion Fred Kerley was slated to be a headliner at Sunday’s USATF New York City Grand Prix in the men’s 100m. However, Kerley did not end up racing after he slipped in the starting blocks twice. Despite these mishaps, he chose not to race.

In a post-race interview with Citius Mag, Kerley said that one of his starting block pads was broken, and he had requested new blocks. “I slipped the first time, and then I slipped the second time. I wasn’t about to let it happen a third time,” Kerley said.

He took to Twitter after the race to criticize the World Athletics Continental Tour meet for using “high school level blocks.”

The 100m at the NYC Grand Prix ended up being won by Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike, with a 10.24 second clocking into a -0.7 m/s headwind.

This race was supposed to be Kerley’s first 100m since he publicly stated he’d break Usain Bolt’s world record the next time he raced the distance. Kerley has not competed in the 100m since the Shanghai Diamond League on April 27 and has not yet broken the 10-second mark this season.

Kerley has a personal best of 9.76 seconds from the 2022 World Championships, which he won. He is also the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 100 meters.

Before the race, Kerley drew attention in the warm-up area at Icahn Stadium, where he was spotted wearing Puma spikes (instead of his sponsor, Asics). It came out after the race that Kerley is now without a sponsor, as Asics announced that they had mutually parted ways with him after reaching a multi-year deal just last year. There has been no official statement on why the sponsorship ended, but Kerley was rumored to be frustrated with the custom “world champion” spikes the brand made for him.

The 29-year-old plans to compete in the 100m and 200m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in two weeks.

Asafa Powell opens up on the darkest moments of his career and how he managed to overcome them

The Jamaican sprint great has opened up on two dark moments in his career and how he managed to overcome those setbacks.

Jamaican sprint great Asafa Powell has opened up on how he dealt with the lowest moments of his career as an athlete.

Powell, a specialist in the 100 meters, set the world record twice with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds and has broken the 10-second barrier more than anyone else, doing so 97 times.

He also holds the world record for the 100-yard dash at 9.09 seconds and became an Olympic champion in the 4 x 100 meters relay in 2016.

Powell has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in competition, with his personal best of 9.72 s ranking fourth on the all-time list of men's 100-metre athletes.

By 2016, Powell had broken the ten-second barrier more times than anyone else—97 times.

However, he never managed to win a major individual title, with his two bronze medals in 2007 and 2009 his best finishes. He did however manage to win two gold medals at the World Championships and another at the 2016 Olympic games, but all were in the 4 by 100 m relays.

Now, he has opened up on the two darkest times of his career, which he has revealed were the World championships in 2007 in Osaka and the Olympic games in Beijing.

“I have had a few of those and they felt pretty much the same. I remember at the 2007 World Championships, there was no way I was supposed to lose the race, but things happened before and all that stuff and it caused me to lose the race,” Powell told The Mitchells YouTube channel.

“I tell myself some stuff and I have to really and then in 2008 at the Olympic games, I did not run like I was supposed to and I was really tough on myself. Those were my darkest moments.”

Powell has thanked his family for helping him get through those tough moments in his career.

“I had to pull myself out of the dark. They had to fly my father and brother to the games because I was in a (devastated) state.”

Powell has sent a message of encouragement to his fans, advising them to always do their best and not worry too much about situations that may be beyond their abilities to change.

“You cannot control what other people are doing. On the track, eight or nine people are on the track so you cannot control what they are doing. You have to focus on what you are doing.

“If everybody else breaks a world record and you also do one as well, you cannot be upset because you did your best at that time.”

Youngster Simon Koech is plotting an Olympic debut

Steeplechaser Simon Koech is plotting an Olympic debut as he fights for a slot at the upcoming national trials.

African Games bronze medallist Simon Koech will be looking to bounce back as he eyes the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Koech’s main focus will be to qualify for the event at the Olympic trials coming up this weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium. The 21-year-old has been in fair shape this season, and he has hopes to rewrite history in the city of love.

The former world under-20 bronze medallist is aware of the tough opposition awaiting him in the trials and he is ready to striker.

“For now, the most important thing for me is to work extra hard and get into the Kenyan team,” Koech said following his second-place finish at the National Championships that were held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

The event was also used as trials for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon, and Koech intends to also improve on his bronze medal from the African Games.

He opened his season with a second-place finish at the African Games trials before finishing third at the African Games. He also competed in the 5000m, where he finished eighth.

“Whenever I step foot on the track, I usually start planning on the best way to execute a race. It depends on the pace and hoe each lap is going. I expect to do much better with the help of God,” he added.

Meanwhile, Koech made an impact last season, with a qualification to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary but did not live up to the billing, fading to finish seventh.

However, he bounced back at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting final in Eugene, Oregon, where he claimed his first trophy. Koech clocked a stunning 8:06.26 to win the race, sending warning shots to Ethiopians and Moroccans this Olympic season.

The youngster launched his career in 2021, where he made his first national team, competing at the World Under-20 Championships. In 2022, Koech did not compete in any race and he made a comeback in 2023.

New York Mini 10k 2024: Senbere Teferi wins third consecutive race

Senbere Teferi, a two-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medalist from Ethiopia, won her third consecutive Mastercard New York Mini 10K in a time of 30:47, just shy of the record she set in 2023 with a time of 30:12.

ABC 7 New York provided live streaming coverage of the New York Road Runners' Mini 10K race in Central Park with more than 9,000 runners expected this year.

Teferi also won 2019 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in New York and the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half, which was the second-fastest time in the history of the event.

"It is such a special race because there is a bond that exists with thousands of women also running. Even though we are not related, I feel supported like we are all sisters in running," Teferi said prior to today's race.

2022 TCS New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi finished second with a time of 31:04.

Lokedi was also the runner-up at both the 2022 Mastercard New York Mini 10K and the 2024 Boston Marathon.

"Although I have only run the Mini once before, I felt embraced by the many thousands of women who ran the race before me, and hope to inspire the many thousands more who will come after me," Lokedi said prior to today's race. "It's an awesome thing, how women from so many different places and life experiences can come and feel connected to each other through the simple act of running a loop in Central Park."

Sheila Chepkirui finished third (31:09) while American Amanda Vestri finished fourth (31:17).

The 2024 Mastercard New York Mini 10K will feature four past champions, five Paris 2024 Olympians, and seven of the top 10 finishers from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

The 52nd running of the event also featured members of 2024 U.S. Olympic Women's Marathon Team - Fiona O'Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm.

New York Road Runners started the Mini 10K in 1972 as the first women-only road race, known then as the Crazylegs Mini Marathon. Seventy-two women finished the first race, and three weeks later Title IX was signed into law, guaranteeing girls and women the right to participate in school sports and creating new opportunities for generations of female athletes.

The Mastercard New York Mini 10K is now one of nonprofit NYRR's 60 adult and youth races annually and has garnered more than 200,000 total finishers to date.

The 2024 Mastercard New York Mini 10K offered $39,500 in total prize money, including $10,000 to the winner of the open division. Mastercard served as title sponsor of the event for the fourth year, and as part of its ongoing partnership with NYRR will also serve as the presenting sponsor of professional women's athlete field.

Eyewitness News provided live updates from the race and streamed the event live on abc7NY. An all-women team of WABC sports anchor Sam Ryan and meteorologist Dani Beckstrom, along with U.S. Olympian Carrie Tollefson, host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast Ali Feller, and running advocate Jacqui Moore anchored the coverage.

Netflix’s track and field series, Sprint, to be released on July 2

We are 50 days from the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and if you aren’t excited about it yet, maybe this news will help. On Wednesday, Box To Box Films announced that their documentary series Sprint, focused on following the world’s top 100m and 200m sprinters, will be coming to Netflix on July 2.

Sprint will follow the journey of several elite sprinters, including world champions Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Fred Kerley and Dina Asher-Smith, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their world of track and field.

The series takes place over the summer 2023 season and captures the thrilling moments from the Diamond League and Continental Tour, with the final episodes taking place at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where Lyles won double gold in the 100m and 200m–the first athlete to do so at a world championship since Jamaica’s Usain Bolt in 2015.

Despite being the only track and field athlete to win six sprint medals at the last two Olympic Games, Canada’s Andre De Grasse is not one of the athletes featured in the series.

Box To Box Films is the same company behind the Formula One racing series Drive To Survive, the golf series Full Swing and the pro tennis series Break Point.

These series have resonated with existing fans and attracted new audiences to the respective sports. World Athletics hopes Sprint will have the same effect in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.

If you are a Netflix account holder, you can search for Sprint now on the app, set a reminder and add it to your watch list. This is a series we will most definitely be bingeing, come July 2.

Timothy Cheruiyot reveals struggles with injuries and overcoming challenges as he chases Olympic glory

Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up on his struggles with injuries and his comeback plan to the top of the men's 1500m.

Olympic silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up about his injury bout that saw him struggle to produce great results since the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Cheruiyot, a former world champion, explained that he had been through a tough time with his injury and explained that he had a torn knee which cost him a lot in terms of training and performing well.

He was a favourite at the 2022 World Championships but failed to live up to the billing, finishing sixth in the final of the 1500m before proceeding to a second-place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Last season, Cheruiyot had a bitter exit from the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where he was eliminated in the semifinal of the race. He explained that the injury has been a nightmare to him but appreciated his management and coach Bernard Ouma for walking with him during the difficult period.

“It was a bit hard because sometimes when an athlete has an injury, it’s a bit of a problem but for me, I thank my management and my coach for coming together and finding a good physiotherapist and a great rehab.

“At the moment I’m very happy to be back…it was hard because I had a torn knee and I’m happy to have come back and I’m training well now,” Cheruiyot said.

This season, the 28-year-old has been in great shape, and has competed in Diamond League Meetings and local races as he eyes the Olympic trials.

He was in action at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, finishing second behind Brian Komen before almost upsetting Jakob Ingebrigtsen on home soil, at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo.

Cheruiyot was also in action at the trials for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships, where he doubled in the 800m and 1500m and finished third and fifth respectively.

He has assured his fans of being fully back and will be keen to go back and take his rightful position as one of the greatest 1500m runners the world has ever known.

World 10km record holder Rhonex Kipruto handed six-year doping ban

Rhonex Kipruto is the latest Kenyan athlete to be disgraced over doping as he has been handed a six-year suspension with his big achievements quashed.

Kenya's Rhonex Kipruto has been banned for six years over a doping offence, adding to the grim statistics for the country.

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) handed the punishment to the 24-year-old on Wednesday, meaning he will lose his 10 kilometres road race world record and a World Championships bronze medal.

Kipruto, who won the 10,000 metres bronze in the 2019 World Championships in Doha, had been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping violation in May last year and is now banned until May 2029.

Kipruto broke the 10km road race world record in 2020 in Valencia and won the 10,000 metres at the 2019 Stockholm Diamond League, achievements that are now null and void.

A Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that there were irregularities in Kipruto's Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), which shows discrepancies that can reveal the effects of doping.

"The Tribunal rejected Kipruto's defence, concluding the 'cause for the abnormalities in the ABP is more likely to be due to blood manipulation' such as through the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rEPO)," AIU said its ruling, adding that there was no other plausible explanation for the abnormal values.

Kipruto had denied the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) charge but the panel said it was "comfortably satisfied" that the Kenyan was involved in a "deliberate and sophisticated doping regime over a long period of time".

Kipruto can still appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The disgraced long-distance athlete joins a long list of Kenyan runners who have been suspended over various doping offences.

His suspension comes just a day after the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya suspended 33 sportsmen and women for failing doping tests.

ADAK suspends highest number of Kenyan athletes since January last year

The Anti-doping Agency of Kenya has unveiled the highest number of athletes banned for violating various doping rules.

The Anti-doping Agency of Kenya has banned 33 Kenyan athletes for violating the various doping rules as per the Athletics Integrity Unit.

The list includes 26 runners with the remaining coming from basketball, rugby and handball. In road running, one of the most shocking athletes to have made the list of shame is Joshua Belet, the 2023 TCS Amsterdam Marathon champion.

According to reports, this marks the highest number of suspended athletes since January last year, when Kenya was on the verge of being banned by World Athletics. However, it is a move that was anticipated since there has been increased testing.

Belet, a 26-year-old long distance runner, has been suspended for the presence of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, Testosterone, Adiol, Pregnanediol, Androsterone and Etiocholanolone. Belet was a promising talent who even made his national team debut at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary but did not finish the race.

Dorcas Kimeli has also been suspended and she was also a promising athlete who had represented Kenya in a couple of events including the 2020 World Half Marathon championships where she finished 11th. As reported by Nation Sport, Jepchumba has been suspended for tampering with any part of the doping control.

Meanwhile, upcoming sprinters Duke Osoro and Joan Jeruto have also been added to the list of shame with the 2012 World Under-20 5000m champion David Bett also making the list.

Brian Wahinya, a former Kenya Sevens player has also found himself in hot soup alongside fellow players Charlton Mokua and Zeden Lutomia. The trio has been suspended for the presence of Cannabinoids, linked to cannabis sativa.

The basketball players who have gotten themselves in the list of shame include Alex Ramazani, Albert Onyango and James Mwangi Maina.

David Rudisha names 3 key athletes to shape 800m race this Olympic season

World 800m record holder David Rudisha has revealed the three key athletes who will shape the two-lap race this Olympic season and might even threaten his world record.

World 800m record holder David Rudisha has singled out three athletes that could shape the 800m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.

Rudisha was an 800m maestro and defined the two-lap race in his prime and he believes other athletes are coming up and have the ability to change the quality of the 800m race.

The two-time Olympic champion set his first 800m World Record of 1:41.09 on August 22, 2010 in Berlin, Germany before lowering his time to clock another world record of 1:40.91 set during the 2012 London Olympic Games.

No athlete has gotten near to the world record but the two-time world champion believes the trio of Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Marco Arop and Djamel Sedjati have the ability to redefine that.

“From Kenya, we have Emmanuel Wanyonyi. Marco Arop from Canada. And I saw also a young kid Djamel Sedjati from Algeria running the world-leading time in Ostrava,” Rudisha told AFP.

“This is really amazing. We are looking forward to seeing how they are going to perform. In the Olympics, anything can happen. It's always very competitive and everybody goes there to win. So, there's a lot of expectation.”

Wanyonyi, the youngest of the three, has been in great form this season, and he will certainly be an athlete to watch in the city of love.

The world 800m silver medallist has been unbeaten in the 800m this season, winning the Kip Keino Classic and the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat, Morocco. He also set the road mile world record at the Adizero road to records event.

Meanwhile, Arop, the reigning world champion, has only raced once in the 800m outdoor and won in the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen. He has been in great form, however, in his indoor events and will certainly be out to give his competitors a run for their money one more time.

Sedjati, 25, has also proven to be a strong athlete, striking with a world leading time of 1:43.51 in Ostrava in his season opener. He will also be looking to impress at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, following his silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

World Athletics announces new ultimate championship event in 2026

"We want to feature the biggest stars and make it a must-watch global sporting event," said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.

On Monday, World Athletics unveiled plans for a new biennial event to take place during non-world championship/Olympic years, and serving as a lucrative end-of-season finale. The World Ultimate Championships will be a revolutionary global event designed to redefine the athletics calendar and crown the best of the best in athletics. This ultimate championship will bring together world champions, Olympic champions, Diamond League winners and the year’s top-performing athletes to compete for the top prize of USD $150,000.

In Sept. 2026, Budapest will play host to the inaugural World Ultimate Championships, a three-day event boasting a $10 million prize purse. This “best vs. best” competition will feature the top 16 athletes from the 2026 season competing in a track semi-finals and finals format, while the top eight athletes in field events (throwing and jumping) will battle it out in the field finals. Each event winner will pocket USD $150,000—the highest amount of prize money offered at a track and field championship—with additional prize money distributed to the eight finalists. This substantial financial incentive aims to elevate the sport and attract the world’s top athletes.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a press release: “This is about the best of the best; only 400 athletes from about 70 countries. We want this to look different, we want this to feel different (than a World Championships).” Coe’s vision for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship is to deliver high action and excitement for fans. “We want to feature the biggest stars and make it a must-watch global sporting event.”

Designed to captivate millions of television viewers worldwide, the championship will feature a compact three-day athletics schedule, with each evening session lasting under three hours. The format includes semi-finals and finals for track events, and straight finals for field events, ensuring a thrilling and fast-paced competition. According to World Athletics, athletes will not compete for their sponsors, but instead for their national teams, adding an extra layer of pride and excitement to the competition.

The press release reveals that the ultimate event will include the traditional sprint disciplines, middle and long-distance races, relays, jumps and throws. The future hosts beyond the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest have not been announced.

Why the "Norwegian Method" Training Craze Is Here to Stay

In a highly anticipated race at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic, Jakob Ingebrigsten pitted his revolutionary "Norwegian method" of training against some of the best milers in the world.

The “Mile of the Century”—of the twentieth century, that is—was a duel between John Landy and Roger Bannister at the 1954 Empire Games in Victoria. The two men were, at the time, the only two sub-four-minute milers in the world: Bannister had beaten Landy to the punch by 46 days, but Landy was the reigning world record holder. Their end-of-season clash was as heavily anticipated as any heavyweight boxing duel. Landy led until the final bend, at which point he famously glanced over his left shoulder at precisely the moment that Bannister surged past on his right.

The mile of the current century, at least in terms of pre-race hype and intriguing storylines, took place on Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic track meet in Eugene. It was a gigantic multidimensional grudge match between Jakob Ingebrigsten, the blunt-speaking Norwegian wunderkind who won the 2021 Olympics at the tender age of 20 and whose training methods have sparked wholesale upheaval in the endurance world, and almost every runner who has beaten him or come close to it in recent years—most notably Josh Kerr, the Scotsman who upset him at last summer’s World Championships and has been engaged in an increasingly testy war of words with him ever since.

What gave the race an extra layer of significance, beyond the usual battle for personal supremacy, was that clash of training ideas. Ingebrigtsen is the foremost exponent of what has come to be known as the “Norwegian method” of endurance training. Its hallmark is carefully controlled workout intensities, pushing just hard enough to stimulate adaptation without incurring fatigue that would compromise the next workout. In Ingebrigtsen’s hands, that involves twice-a-week double threshold sessions: workouts like ten times a kilometer with one minute recovery in the morning and evening, with regular ear pricks to check lactate levels and keep the intensity in the right zone, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A similar approach has also taken Norwegians to the top of the podium in other sports like triathlon and cross-country skiing, and athletes from other countries have begun emulating it. Norwegian-style training is “the big, sexy thing,” as U.S. miler Hobbs Kessler put it. It might even be “the next step in the evolution of distance running training,” as a group of sports scientists suggested in an academic paper last year (which I wrote about here). It’s very hard to do controlled studies of entire training philosophies, as opposed to specific workouts. So the best litmus test, I suggested, would be clashes on the track leading up to the Paris Olympics. Saturday in Eugene was the first such test.

Sexy new things don’t stay sexy and new forever, and it’s fair to say that some of the shine of Norwegian training has worn off since last year. The most notable reputational hit was Kerr’s 1,500-meter win at last summer’s World Championships, kicking past Ingebrigtsen in the final lap after the Norwegian had led most of the race. One loss could be blamed on bad luck, but that made three times in a row: another Scottish runner, Jake Wightman, had outkicked Ingebrigtsen in strikingly similar fashion at the 2022 World Championships, and Ethiopian star Samuel Tefera did the same at the 2022 World Indoor Championships. That starts to look like a systemic flaw in the training approach. While Ingebrigtsen was carefully monitoring his moderate-intensity threshold intervals, Kerr and Wightman and Tefera were presumably ripping off all-out sprints—and they had a racing gear that he seemed to lack.

In Eugene, a rabbit led the field through a quick first half-mile. When he stepped off, it was Kenyan runner Abel Kipsang who pushed onward, with Ingebrigtsen following patiently behind. This was already a surprise: Ingebrigtsen is usually the one pushing the pace. Then, with a lap and a half still remaining, it was the fast finisher Kerr who surged into the lead and made an early bid for victory. Each man, it seemed, was playing the other’s game. The last lap ticked by in slow motion, Kerr unable to pull away and Ingebrigtsen unable to close the gap. That’s how it finished: Kerr in 3:45.34, Ingebrigtsen in 3:45.60, and then seven more men under the once-impregnable 3:50 barrier. In 11th place was Cam Myers, a 17-year-old from Australia, with a time of 3:50.15—two seconds faster than Ingebrigtsen himself ran at Pre as a 17-year-old in 2018.

It would be as foolish to give up on Norwegian training based on a few individual losses as it would be to anoint it the “next step” on the basis of a few individual wins. But if Ingebrigtsen keeps losing, that’s going to reinforce doubts about whether his approach is as effective for head-to-head racing as it is for time trials. There are plenty of caveats: for example, an Achilles injury disrupted Ingebrigtsen’s training for several months over the winter. But there are also other questions. What has happened to his older brothers Henrik and Filip? Both were world-class milers in their own right, but both have been struggling in recent years, as have other prominent Norwegian athletes like Olympic triathlon champion Kristian Blummenfeld, raising questions about the sustainability of the Norwegian approach.

And then there’s the fact that, despite all the hype about the mile, the real marquee event at Pre turned out to be the women’s 10,000 meters, where Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet became the first woman to dip under 29 minutes with a world-record clocking of 28:54.14. Kenyan runners (and their Ethiopian rivals) have been at the top for so long that it’s easy to take their dominance for granted. When I was in college in the 1990s, we were all fascinated by “the Kenyan Way.” That was the subtitle of Toby Tanser’s 1997 book, Train Hard, Win Easy. The secret, of course, was that there was no secret. There was a famous (and almost certainly apocryphal) anecdote about a Kenyan coach who was asked what separated his top runners from the merely good ones. All of them had grown up running to and from school each day, he explained; the champions also went home for lunch.

Part of the current fascination with the Norwegian training method is the suggestion that there is, in fact, a secret—a quantifiable formula, expressed in milimoles per liter of lactate in your blood, to optimize your training, rather than simply an admonition to work hard. But that’s a reductive view of what Ingebrigtsen and his Nordic peers are aiming for. The underlying philosophy of Norwegian training is that a harder workout isn’t always a better one, because it will take too long to recover from. This is hardly a new insight, but in the great merry-go-round of training fads, it was perhaps overdue for a resurgence.

In fact, the original Mile of the Century had a similar subtext. Bannister was the light-training amateur who ran on his lunch hour; Landy was a workout hero with “an insatiable appetite for interval running,” as Bannister wrote. “The great contrast in our training methods was not lost of the Press.” Bannister won the race, but it’s Landy’s training approach that proved to be more influential on subsequent generations. As Ingebrigtsen’s final showdown with his rivals in Paris looms, that’s worth remembering: even if he loses, and even if we decide that lactate meters are unnecessarily complicated, we might still have something to learn from his unorthodox training.

Timothy Cheruiyot outlines comeback strategy with main focus on Paris 2024 Olympics

Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up on his comeback strategy after injuries almost threatened to end his career.

Olympic 1500m silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot is slowly gaining his confidence as he outlines his comeback plan to where he feels he rightfully belongs, the top.

Cheruiyot suffered an injury bout that cost him since 2022 where he failed to defend his world title at the Oregon World Championships and also faltered at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The former world champion is now plotting a great comeback and he has already started competing after his exit from the World Championships in Budapest.

He opened his season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha before doubling in the 1500m and 800m at the National Championships.

He now heads to the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo, where he will be up against a strong field, but he can’t be downplayed since he is also an able athlete.

Cheruiyot also disclosed that his main focus is on the Olympic trials where he intends to shine and go to Paris to improve his silver medal from the delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

“I feel good…the races were good and I was well prepared. I decided to do two races, the 800m and 1500m, and it was really good because we are focusing ahead,” he said.

“I feel so great because last year I was having an injury but now I’m getting better. For now, I’m focusing on the Diamond League races and then the trials,” he said.

The Olympic silver medalist also noted that at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, his body was about 85 per cent and fired warning shots at his opponents.

“At the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, my body was about 85 per cent because that was my first race after nine months, since Budapest. So, it was about gaining confidence and now, I’m ready to go. The confidence is coming back,” he added.

Lokedi, Kiplagat and Chepkirui Headline New York Mini 10K Run

Three Kenyans headlined by Boston Marathon second finisher Sharon Lokedi are among the top athletes entered for the 2024 New York Mini 10K set for Saturday, June 8.

Veteran and consistent Edna Kiplagat as well as Sheila Chepkirui, who finished second at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

The race also features four past champions, five Paris 2024 Olympians, and seven of the top 10 finishers from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Produced by the New York City-based nonprofit for more than five decades, the 52nd running of the event will also be competed by event-record holder and two-time race champion Senbere Teferi and two-time race champion Sara Hall, who will join the previously announced 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Marathon Team – Fiona O’Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Lindwurm – at the start line in Central Park.

Teferi, a two-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medalist from Ethiopia, has won the last two editions of the New York Mini 10K, breaking the event record in 2023 with a time of 30:12.

Also, in New York, she won 2019 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K and in her 2022 United Airlines NYC Half victory recorded the second-fastest time in the history of the event.

“I’m very happy to return to New York for the Mini, and I will try my best to win the race for a third time,” Teferi said. “It is such a special race because there is a bond that exists with thousands of women also running. Even though we are not related, I feel supported like we are all sisters in running.”

Hall is a 10-time U.S. national champion who won the New York Mini 10K in 2021 and 2022. Earlier this year, she finished fifth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She is also the former national record-holder in the half marathon and the only athlete in history to have won the New York Mini 10K, New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, and Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K in New York.

“It’s very cool that this year’s New York Mini 10K falls on the fifth anniversary of my first win at the race, and I can’t think of any place I’d rather be that weekend,” said Hall.

World record holder, endurance sport pioneer Chris Nikic to Run 2024 Grandma’s Marathon

2-time ESPY award winner and Guiness world record holder Chris Nikic will be at the starting line of the 2024 Grandma’s Marathon, the organization announced today.

Nikic was born with Down syndrome and was unable to walk well until age 4, but recently he became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete each of the World Marathon Majors (New York City, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo) and earn the coveted Abbott Six Star medal.

In 2020, before completing any of his running-only marathons, Nikic became the first person in the world to ever complete an Ironman Triathlon – that competition consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run.

Nikic beat his own time two years later at the 2022 World Championships, and that mark of 16 hours, 31 minutes still stands as an official Guiness world record.

After accomplishing a goal that once seemed out-of-reach, Nikic co-wrote a book with his father, Nik, titled 1% Better: Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can Too.

The book chronicles Nikic’s journey from childhood to his teenage years, when after high school he was an admitted “overweight, out-of-shape” 18-year-old. As he slowly developed an affinity for exercise, Nikic also slowly changed his perception of what was possible in his life.

“That’s when he wrote on the wall that he was going to be a ‘world champ’,” his father Nik said. “We didn’t dismiss what he was telling us as impossible, we took it to heart and believed him. Then, we got to work helping him achieve that goal.”

Chris will speak at the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, and Nik will follow that at 1:00 p.m. as a guest for a panel discussion on the inclusion of neurodivergent and disabled athletes in endurance sporting events like Grandma’s Marathon. Both presentations are free and open to the public.

The Nikics will also be visiting Northwood Children’s Services west campus on Thursday, June 20, with Chris set to speak to the kids and lead them through the “1% Better Challenge.”

“We’re honored to have Chris as part of our 2024 Grandma’s Marathon weekend,” Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider said. “We met Chris and his dad two years ago in Denver, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place after Chris had given his presentation. He’s exactly the type of person we want at our starting line, and we’re excited to continue the conversation about how those doors can be opened to other athletes like Chris.”

Down syndrome is a chromosome disorder caused by an extra chromosome 21, which prompted the creation of the Runner 321 initiative aiming to welcome more neurodivergent athletes into endurance sports. On race day in Duluth, Chris will wear race bib No. 321 as a symbol of that initiative.

ABOUT GRANDMA’S MARATHON

Grandma’s Marathon began in 1977 when a group of local runners planned a scenic road race from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota. After seeing just 150 participants that year, the race weekend has now grown into one of the largest in the United States and welcomes more than 20,000 participants for its three-race event each June.

The race got its name from the Duluth-based group of famous Grandma’s Restaurants, the first major sponsor of the marathon. In addition to the 26.2-mile race, the organization has now added the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K to its weekend offerings.

As the popularity of Grandma’s Marathon has grown, our mission has stayed the same – to organize, promote, and deliver annual events and programs that cultivate running, educational, social, and charitable opportunities to our communities.

Scottish runner, Josh Kerr aiming for Paris Olympics gold after shattering 39-year record

It is nearly a decade since Josh Kerr made the decision to turn his back on home comforts and fly thousands of miles across the Atlantic to begin a new life courtesy of an athletics scholarship at the University of New Mexico.

He was only a teenager at the time and left behind a close-knit family in Edinburgh, But never at any point did he have any doubts about the sacrifices involved in upping sticks to Albuquerque, or the ultimate goal.

“It was a big leap of faith, to be honest,” he recalled last year. “I hadn't taken a visit. But if you're not pushing your boundaries, you're just going to get a little bit stale. They said they had 307 days of sun, so I was there.”

Still only 26, the Scot’s boundaries have shifted considerably since then. He is increasingly regarded as one of Scotland’s top medal prospects for the coming Paris Olympics, a status consolidated by his remarkable victory in the Diamond League, where he triumphed over Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and smashed Steve Cram’s near 40-year-old British mile record.

In a quirk of fate, Cram, one of the leading lights in the golden era of British middle-distance running, was part of the BBC commentary team for the meet. “Josh Kerr is getting better and better and better, that was phenomenal, and you know this is a man full of confidence heading to the Olympic Games,” he said.

Kerr’s victory represents the latest step in his journey to the summit of his sport. He first came to national prominence thanks to his 1,500m bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. And in August last year, he shocked Ingebrigtsen to win the 1,500m title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, before breaking the indoor two-mile world record in February.

Such victories are the highlights of a running career that began when Kerr joined Edinburgh Athletics Club aged eight. At the time, his older brother, Jake, was pursuing a successful track career, but later followed in the footsteps of their father, John, by taking up rugby. The younger Kerr stayed on the track, honing his skills under the tutelage of coaches Eric Fisher and Davy Campbell before heading stateside. He is now based in Seattle, part of the Brooks Beasts team trained by Danny Mackey.

But Kerr has always credited the crucial role played by Edinburgh Athletics Club, regularly returning to help give advice to its next crop of youngsters. “Those from the club that have reached the big stages before me have shown that it can be done, and in turn we can show it to the next generation,” he previously explained.

His rapid rise in world athletics represents the latest glowing endorsement of Edinburgh’s coaching. Indeed, Kerr, used to race alongside Jake Wightman, a 1,500m gold medallist at the 2022 World Championships.

Both men were trained by Fisher, now 77. In the wake of Kerr’s gold win in Budapest, he gave an insight into how, during Kerr’s early years, he could give too much respect to his brother, and lacked the confidence to see himself as being at the same level as top athletes. “Things have changed now,” he added.

Josh Kerr beats 39-year-old British mile record and rival Ingebrigtsen in Eugene

Josh Kerr smashed Steve Cram’s 39-year-old British record to claim victory in the mile race at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon. The Scottish runner won a highly anticipated showdown with his Norwegian rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen thanks to a remarkable world-leading run of 3min 45.34sec.

Cram, who was commentating on the race for the BBC, had held the British record since 1985 with a time of 3:46.32.

The Olympic 1500m champion, Ingebrigtsen, who was stunned by Kerr in that event at last year’s world championships in Budapest, finished second, with the Britons Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman in fourth and fifth respectively.

Earlier, Keely Hodgkinson produced a dominant display to win the women’s 800m. The 22-year-old clocked a world-leading time of one minute 55.78 secs, while compatriot Jemma Reekie was third – behind Kenyan Mary Moraa – in a time of 1min 57.45sec.

Sha’Carri Richardson, the world champion won in her first women’s 100m of the Olympic year in a time of 10.83sec ahead of St Lucia’s Julien Alfred (10.93) and Dina Asher-Smith, whose time of 10.98 was a season best for the Briton.

Laura Muir continued preparations for this summer’s Olympics in Paris with fourth place in the women’s 1500m in a season’s best 3min 56.35sec. The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist said: “I want to be in the best shape I can for August, so it’s a step towards that to run 56 [seconds] in May. It’s very promising.”

Elsewhere, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet set a new world record of 28min 54.14sec to win the women’s 10,000m. Chebet bested the previous record of 29.01.03 set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands on 8 June 2021.Chebet finished ahead of Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, who finished in 29min 5.92sec in cloudy and cool temperatures. Chebet started to pull away with three laps to go, then poured herself into the final lap. “My body was responding good and I felt strong,” she said. “I felt like I was very comfortable.”

It was her first 10,000m race since 2020, in Nairobi. Chebet, 24, won the silver medal at the 5,000m at the world championships at Hayward Field in 2022. She won the bronze in the event at the worlds last year.

The finish qualified her for her first Olympics this summer in Paris. She said she hopes to double in the 5,000m and 10,000m. “But my target is to run 5,000m first, then 10,000m comes second,” she said. “Because this is my first 10,000m outside the country to run, and I’m so happy to run 28, a world record.”

The Prefontaine Classic is the lone American stop on the international Diamond League series.

This U.S Olympic medallist is boycotting race bibs for the 2024 season

An American hurdler is creating buzz in the track and field world in an unconventional way by boycotting race bibs for the 2024 track and field season. The Olympic silver medallist in the 400m hurdles, Rai Benjamin, has not worn a bib in either of his races to start the season, and plans to continue.

After winning the 400m hurdles event at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix over the weekend in 46.64 seconds, Benjamin told Citius Mag in a post-race interview that he considered the use of bibs a waste of money and felt they ruined the appearance of the uniform. “I’m not wearing that thing. It’s a waste of money and the uniform looks too good to wear a bib, so I’m continuing my no-bib campaign here today,” said Benjamin.

Benjamin is not the only professional athlete to speak out against wearing race bibs. Former U.S. Olympic champion Michael Johnson was quoted by The New York Times in 2023 as having similar beliefs: “When an athlete is trying to focus on performing at their best, the bibs are a distraction. The fastest, most efficient athletes in the world compete with a piece of paper safety-pinned on. It just reeks of amateurism.”

Race bibs are a mandatory staple of every runner’s race-day attire. While their main purposes are live-tracking and identifying runners, they also generate significant race-day revenue through sponsorships.

Per World Athletics competition rules, all athletes competing at a World Athletics sanctioned meet are required to wear a race bib. According to technical competition rules 5.8-9, “no athlete shall be allowed to take part in any competition without displaying the appropriate bib(s) and/or identification. These bibs must be worn as issued and may not be cut, folded or obscured in any way. If any aspect of Rule 5 of the technical rules is not followed, a disqualification may follow.”

Benjamin’s first two races of the season have been at low-key events; it will be interesting to see if race officials will follow the World Athletics rulebook and disqualify him at future events like the U.S. Olympic Trials in late June and the Olympic Games in August if he does not comply.

The 26-year-old is one of the favourites to medal in the 400m hurdles event in Paris. He has medalled at the last four major championships in the event, dating back to the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Mile clash the big attraction in Eugene

Going strictly by time, the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday (25) is one of the fastest races in the meeting’s 49-year history.

Add in the storylines, and it’s one of the most anticipated, too.

Featuring seven men with lifetime bests faster than 3:50, Olympic and world championship gold medallists, world record-holders and rivals whose banter has preceded the matchup for months, the mile caps a Wanda Diamond League meeting at Hayward Field whose potential for world-leading marks extends far beyond its final event.

Consider, for one, the women’s 800m, and the early window it will open into this summer’s Olympics. The field includes six of the eight competitors from last year’s World Championships final in Budapest, including gold medallist Mary Moraa and silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson. Notably absent will be bronze medallist Athing Mu, the Olympic champion, who was initially scheduled to race but has been withdrawn out of precaution because of a sore hamstring.

Raevyn Rogers, the 2019 world silver medallist whose image adorns a tower standing high above Hayward Field, also is entered, along with Jemma Reekie, Nia Akins and Halimah Nakaayi, who is coming off a victory at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix.

World champion Sha’Carri Richardson and Elaine Thompson-Herah headline the women’s 100m, along with world indoor 60m champion Julien Alfred and Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, while world indoor 60m champion Christian Coleman and Ackeem Blake are among the fastest entered in the men's 100m.

Perhaps the most dominant athlete entering the meeting is Grant Holloway, the world 110m hurdles champion who has won all 10 races he has contested this year, including the indoor season and heats. That also includes running a world-leading 13.07 into a headwind to win in Atlanta last weekend.

The three-time world champion's last loss came on the very same Hayward Field track, at last September’s Prefontaine Classic. The only remaining gap on Holloway’s resume is an Olympic gold medal, and Saturday’s race could be an early preview of Paris, as the field includes five who raced in last summer’s World Championships final in Budapest, including silver medallist Hansle Parchment and Daniel Roberts, who earned bronze.

Shot put world record-holder and multiple world and Olympic champion Ryan Crouser will open his outdoor season in his home state and at the stadium where he owns the facility record, while trying to best Leonardo Fabbri’s world-leading mark of 22.95m.

Since 2023, Crouser has lost in just one final – and it was at September’s Prefontaine Classic to Joe Kovacs, who won in Los Angeles last weekend with 22.93m, and is entered again. Payton Otterdahl, who owns the world No.3 mark this year, also is in the field.

Those events offer no shortage of global medallists. Few, however, carry the prospect for as much drama as the mile.

Over the past year, Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr, who outkicked Ingebrigtsen for last year’s world title in Budapest, have carried on a battle of words through the press about who could prevail in Paris.

Commonwealth champion Olli Hoare, who is part of the field following his 1500m win in Los Angeles last week, said the sport was better for the attention drawn by the back-and-forth between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr – but added that other racers wanted to strike the appropriate level of respect for their competitors, such as Yared Nuguse, whose PB of 3:43.97 was set battling Ingebrigtsen (4:43.73) down to the line at September’s Pre Classic.

“This is a big one. This is going to be a big one for a lot of egos,” Hoare said in Los Angeles. “But I think it’s going to be a big one for me because it’ll be the first race where I’ll have an inkling of where I am with the world’s best. There’s a bit of tossing and turning with the banter but you can’t disrespect that field. If you do, you’ll get eaten alive.”

That list of seven men under 3:50, which includes Hoare, notably doesn’t include Jake Wightman, who will be racing Ingebrigtsen for the first time since their duel at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, when Wightman won gold; Abel Kipsang, who was fourth at the Tokyo Olympics; Geordie Beamish, less than three months after he stormed to the world indoor title; or Lamecha Girma, the steeplechase world record-holder who is making his mile debut.

“Jake Wightman’s back, he’s a world champion,” Hoare said. “Yared Nuguse, 3:43 mile – these guys are keeping quiet and they’re going to wait for their opportunity to strike. And when they do strike, I guarantee they will make a comment.”

They are not the only accomplished names entered in the distances.

Athletics Kenya will determine its men's and women's Olympic 10,000m qualifiers at Hayward Field, with Kenya's two-time world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet, the world leader at 5000m this season, part of a women's race that will include world champion Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, eight months after Tsegay set the world 5000m record on the same track.

World record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech will attempt to retain her controlling hold over the steeplechase when she races top challenger Faith Cherotich. The Kenyan duo produced the two fastest times in the world this year at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, which Chepkoech won in 8:55.40 to Cherotich’s 9:05.91. Olympic silver medallist Courtney Frerichs will no longer run after injuring the ACL and meniscus in her right knee.

One week after winning in Los Angeles, Diribe Welteji leads the 1500m field that includes 13 women who have run under four minutes. World indoor 3000m champion Elle St Pierre, who won the 5000m in Los Angeles, is running her first 1500m of the season, with Laura Muir, Nikki Hiltz, Jessica Hull, Hirut Meshesha and Cory McGee also entered.

Multiple world and Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hassan, as well as world No.2 Ejgayehu Taye, will feature in the 5000m.

In the field, world and Olympic pole vault champion Katie Moon opens her outdoor season against Sandi Morris, and in the triple jump four of the top five women this season are entered, led by Thea LaFond, whose 15.01m jump to win the world indoor title in Glasgow still stands as the mark to beat.

Olympic discus champion Valarie Allman has not lost in Eugene in two years, a run that includes claiming September’s Diamond League final. That could change on Saturday because of the presence of world leader Yaime Perez, who finished second to Allman in Xiamen last month.

In the men’s 200m, top US sprinters who will duel at the Olympic trials only weeks later will face off. Kenny Bednarek, fresh off a world-leading 19.67 in Doha, is scheduled to race against world No.2 Courtney Lindsey (19.71), with world silver medallist Erriyon Knighton making his season debut. Joe Fahnbulleh and Kyree King, winner of the Los Angeles Grand Prix 100m, are also entered.

Another winner in Los Angeles, Rai Benjamin, headlines the men’s 400m hurdles, and he enters with considerable confidence after running 46.64, the ninth-fastest performance of all time.

“I think I’m the fastest guy in the field, honestly,” Benjamin said of potential Olympic chances.

The women’s 100m hurdles and women’s hammer will not count towards Diamond League points totals, but will be more potential previews for global championships.

Women who account for five of the year’s six fastest times, all of whom are separated by fractions of a second, will face off in the hurdles. Tonea Marshall, fresh off her victory in Los Angeles in 12.42, leads 2019 world champion Nia Ali, Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, two-time world champion Danielle Williams and world indoor champion Devynne Charlton.

Brooke Andersen’s 79.92m throw from earlier this month remains the world-leading hammer mark this season but she will be challenged by world champion Camryn Rogers, 2019 world champion DeAnna Price and world silver medallist Janee’ Kassanavoid, who own the next three farthest throws this season.

Why Athing Mu has withdrawn from clash against Mary Moraa & Keely Hodgkinson at Prefontaine Classic

The renewal of the rivalry between Athing Mu, Keely Hodgkinson, and Mary Moraa will have to be postponed following the Mu's withdrawal from the Prefontaine Classic.

Athing Mu’s head coach Bobby Kersee has announced that the Olympic champion will miss the looming showdown against world champion Mary Moraa and world bronze medallist Keely Hodgkinson at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting in Eugene, Oregon.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 25 and Mu has been forced to withdraw due to a lingering soreness in her left hamstring.

Speaking to Runner’s World, the coach explained that the injury is not worth risking to compete. This marks the third time that Mu’s hamstring has pushed back her 2024 season opener. The former world champion was initially scheduled to open at the Oxy Invitational in early May in Los Angeles, then the Los Angeles Grand Prix on May 18, but she unfortunately withdrew from the events.

“She’s a veteran, if she’s healthy, she can make the team. And so, if I injure her before, I’m gonna be called a fool; if I don’t race her before, I’m gonna get [criticism].

“So I have to do the math that’s going to put her on the team, and so whatever that math is between now and the 21st, that’s what I’m gonna do,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, Kersee confirmed that this season, Mu will be focusing on the 800m, the event in which she won a gold medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

He added that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will also focus on the 400m Hurdles, where she is the world record holder and she is also the defending Olympic champion.

Meanwhile, Kendra Harrison, another of Kersee’s athlete will not competing in the 100m hurdles. Kersee explained that the American suffered a tight back after traveling to compete in last week’s Atlanta City Games.

“She’s ready to go and that’s what I’m telling her. Right now, unless I know she’s 100 percent healthy ... athletes are taking a high risk right now for minimum gain.

“If you’re going to take a high risk, there’s only two races left in this year where you got to take a high risk for maximum gain and that’s our Olympic Trials and our Olympic Games.

“Everything else, you can’t take the risk if you’re not sure about what to gain and vice versa. And so I just think that, you know, in this case, well in all cases, that’s what I’m looking at as a coach: What’s the risk-reward situation, based on where we stand right now?

“Like Sydney last year, based on her career I mean, I could probably try to see if we could struggle through the world championship, but do I break down one of our world’s best athletes trying to sneak out one more medal and then subject her to more injury and don’t have anything this Olympic year, versus do I rest her?

"I think I’ve shown a little bit so far that maybe the rest did not hurt her and now she’s starting to compete again,” the coach said.

Daniel Simiu secures US visa to join dense 10,000m field at Prefontaine Classic

Daniel Simiu has finally secured his US visa and will be out to challenge his compatriots in the men's 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

The world number one, Daniel Simiu has finally secured his US visa and he will be out to battle for an Olympic slot at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting in Eugene, Oregon.

Athletics Kenya announced that they will select the 10,000m team at the event and it will be very important for athletes seeking to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Simiu, the world 10,000m silver medallist had issues securing his visa but it was secured and he travelled just in time ahead of Saturday’s event. The world half marathon silver medallist will go up against a formidable field, with the athletes fighting to make it to the top two.

He has since been unbeaten so far, winning the Sirikwa Classic Cross country and proceeding to take the crown at the 67° Campaccio-International Cross Country. He then won the Berlin Half Marathon last month.

Former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie will also be in the mix, after having a great start to his season when he won the eDreams Half Marathon Barcelona by Brooks.

He had quite a mixed season last year, where he was forced to pull out of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary due to an injury setback. However, this season, he plans to bounce back and take all the glory on the track and roads.

Nicholas Kimeli will also be a top contender as he hopes to make a bounce back from last year’s dismal performance at the Hungarian capital.

Former world 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka also intends to make a statement on the track he won Kenya a silver medal in 2022. Waithaka has also suffered injury setbacks and he will be hoping to make a comeback this season.

Waithaka has already opened his season, finishing second at the 8th NITTAIDAI Challenge Games where he clocked an impressive 27:21.03 to cross the finish line. Weldon Langat and Daniel Mateiko have also been confirmed for the event.