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HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
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"As a former Olympian in Sydney in 2000 and an experienced expert commentator at the Games in Tokyo three years ago and in Beijing 2008, I am incredibly excited about what awaits us in Paris 2024.
The track & field scene is loaded with both established stars and promising new talents, and there is much to look forward to. I've picked out some of the highlights to look forward to. I will be there as an expert commentator for Swedish TV once again and I am already excited"
- Peter Häggström Lindecrantz, Founder & CEO
We look forward to epic sprint duels in the women's 100m, where USA's Sha'Carri Richardson finally gets her chance to show the world what she's made of, after missing Tokyo due to a controversial suspension.
With her incredible speed and charisma, she will face the world's best and will be challenged partly by the other American sprinters, but perhaps above all by the Jamaicans. After a slightly slower start, Shericka Jackson is starting to pick up speed and I think she will be the toughest challenger.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has already written herself into the history books with her world records and gold medals from the major championships in the 400m hurdles. In Paris, she will try to outdo herself again. Her ability to combine speed, technique and mental strength make her one of the most fascinating athletes to follow in Paris.
At the American Olympic trials, she broke her already mighty world record when she ran a fantastic 50.65. A few weeks later, her biggest challenger, Femke Bol from the Netherlands, responded with a new European record, when she ran in 50.95. Although McLaughlin-Levrone is favorite for the gold, this is a duel to look forward to.
Noah Lyles is expected to be the king of sprints at the Paris Olympics thanks to his exceptional performances and impressive progress on the world stage. With several World Championships gold medals under his belt and a personal best time of 19.31 seconds in the 200m, Lyles has shown that he is one of the fastest sprinters of all time.
Lyles also has a unique ability to deliver under pressure, which is crucial in an Olympic context. 100 meters will be a bigger challenge, where he is mainly challenged by Kishane Thompson from Jamaica, who at the time of writing tops the world best list with 9.79.
Also expect reigning champion Marcell Jacobs from Italy to do everything to defend his title. This also applies to the 4x100m, where Italy won in Tokyo. Expect the USA and Jamaica to ponder how it happened for three years and go to Paris with the goal of taking back the relay crown.
Mondo Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulter, has captured the world's attention with his breathtaking jumps and many world records. He is track & field's brightest star right now and it's hard to see how anyone can beat him.
His struggle to surpass himself and set new records will be one of the most exciting events in athletics. Expect him to attack a new world record on the purple fast track inside the Stade de France.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway is another sensation to keep an eye on. In my opinion he has it all; Great physique, runs smart and tactically and he has a "killer instinct". I'll never forget the glow in his eyes before the start of Bislett's Diamond League this year. A race where he threw himself over the finish line to eventually win. It will take a lot to outwit the Norwegian.
Having won both the 1500m and 5000m at the European Championships this year, he is ready to take on the world's best runners in Paris. On paper, he feels like an even bigger favorite at 1500m, but we know at the same time that anything can happen in the middle distance. In the 5000m, perhaps above all, the Ethiopians will come with a very strong team that will challenge for victory.
From July 7 to July 12, eight of the 20 fastest times ever in the men's 800m were run. Talk about hot crotch! At the top of the world best list at the time of writing is Djamel Sedjati of Algeria with 1:41.46 followed by Emmanuel Wanyoni of Kenya in 1:41.58 and Gabriel Tual of France in 1:41.61.
A few places down on the world best list we find the Swede Andreas Kramer from Sweden, who set a Swedish record. This will be one of the tightest, toughest and most exciting Olympic finals where tactical ability will be decisive.
Just a few days ago in Paris, Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh set an impressive high jump world record of 2.10 meters, cementing her position as the favorite to win Olympic gold in Paris 2024. With an outstanding combination of technique, strength and mental fortitude , Mahuchikh has dominated the high jump scene in recent years.
Her ability to perform under pressure and consistently makes her a big favourite. Mahuchikh's love for her sport and country and her continuous improvement shows that she is not only a star of the present, but also the high jump icon of the future. All eyes will be on her in Paris.
I think the 4x400 meters is always one of the highlights of championships. When it's tight, there are few races more exciting than the long relay. Perhaps my passion for the event was born at the WC in Tokyo where Kris Akabusi surprisingly sprinted past individual winner Antonia Pettigrew in the final stretch to win for Great Britain? We remember the mighty run by Belgium at the Indoor World Championships this year where Alexander Doom sprinted down the USA in the final stretch and took home the gold for Belgium. Something that I can guess that the US does not fully appreciate.
