Form guide and predictions for the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m and 400m at the Olympics
Here is your armchair guide to the sprints at the Paris Olympics. Don’t forget to follow our coverage of the Games on our website and social media channels.
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The below statistics first appeared in our monthly print magazine, which you can buy here.
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Men’s 100m
Final: August 4
Defending champion: Marcell Jacobs (ITA) 9.80
Olympic record-holder: Usain Bolt (JAM) 9.63, 2012
World champion: Noah Lyles (USA) 9.83
World leader: Kishane Thompson (JAM) 9.77
This should be a close battle, though the event is yet to truly catch fire in 2024 so far.
Noah Lyles (Getty)
Top contenders
Kishane Thompson (JAM) (9.77 in 2024)
The Jamaican champion has never taken part in a major championships but, as well as his 9.77 win in Kingston, he won in Szekesfehervar.
Ferdinand Omanyala (KEN) (9.79 in 2024)
The Commonwealth champion won the Kenyan trials in 9.79 but has yet to prove himself globally.
Noah Lyles (USA) (9.83 (9.80w) in 2024)
The reigning world champion won the US trials in 9.83 and, though 200m is his best event, he starts as marginal favourite.
Fred Kerley (USA) (9.88 in 2024)
The 2022 world champion only squeezed into the US team, but has been very consistent around the 9.90s.
British challenge: Though he has had injury issues, world medallist Zharnel Hughes is the safest British bet but NCAA champion Louie Hinchliffe and Jeremiah Azu could also make the final.
AW Prediction: 1 Lyles (USA) 9.79; 2 Kerley (USA) 9.80;
3 Thompson (JAM) 9.81
Daryll Neita and Dina Asher-Smith (Getty)
Women’s 100m
Final: August 3
Defending champion:
Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM) 10.61
Olympic record-holder:
Florence Griffith Joyner (USA) 10.61 (10.54w) 1988
World champion: Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) 10.65
World leader: Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) 10.71
The usually strong Jamaican challenge looks weaker than normal, with defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah injured.
Top contenders
Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) (10.71 in 2024)
The world champion was mightily impressive at the US trials and will start as a big favourite.
Julien Alfred (LCA) (10.78 in 2024)
The 60m world indoor champion ran a national record 10.78 early in June and easily won the Monaco Diamond League in 10.85.
Shericka Jackson (JAM) (10.84 in 2024)
The Olympic bronze medallist did not look at her best…
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