Sprint to Glory: The First Four Days Of The Track & Field Trials
Courtesy of USA Today Sports
Things are heating up in Oregon as four days of the track and field Olympic trials have been completed so far. The United States' depth in track and field events makes it one of the world’s most challenging all-around teams to earn a spot on. Team USA has led every Olympic track and field medal count since 1984. A total of 20 events are competed at the Track and Field Olympic Trials: 10 running events, four throwing events, four jumping events, a 20k race walking event, and the multidiscipline events, the heptathlon (seven events) and decathlon (10 events). Here are some of the faces of Team USA and some of the stand-out stories from the first four days of the Trials.
Speed, They Are Speed
Courtesy of Statesman Journal
There have only been fast times and quick running so far from World Champions Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles on the track. Both athletes won their respective final heats of the 100m dash. Sha’Carri, who missed the 2021 Olympics, finally gets a chance to compete at the Olympics. If Sha’Carri wins the 100m dash in Paris, she will be the first American woman to win gold since 1996. In the women’s 100m final, Sha’Carri ran the fastest time in the world this year, crossing the finish line in 10.71 seconds. Richardson and Lyles will also compete in the 200m dash later this week.
Fastest 16-Year-Old Ever
Courtesy of AP
The Olympic Trials have given 16-year-old Quincy Wilson a chance to shine. Wilson, a beacon of youth and potential, raced in the Men's 400 finals last night, competing against competitors over a decade older than him. He set two personal bests in the prelims and semi-finals, establishing a new Under-18 world record and breaking the 42-year-old American 400m high school record. In a race that covers one lap around the track, the teenager can run it in 44.59 seconds - the 4th fastest time in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Snoop’s Covering Steeple
Courtesy of USA Sports Today
During his coverage in Paris, Snoop Dogg provided commentary for the men’s 3000m Steeplechase finals on Sunday night. The Steeplechase event is unique because it combines distance running with obstacles like hurdles and a water jump. Snoop's coverage added excitement to the event, especially when Hillary Bor, a favorite to win, fell during a water jump and finished 13th. Kenneth Rooks and Matthew Wilkinson secured the 1st and 2nd spots, while James Corrigan, a collegiate runner from BYU, took 3rd place. However, these top 3 finishes don't guarantee a spot in Paris. The athletes must still meet the Olympic standard for the event or have a high world ranking to compete.
More to Come
Courtesy of The Registar-Gaurd
Tara Davis Woodhall will appear on the track for the long jump on Thursday, along with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who will compete in the 400m hurdles. The men's and women’s 200m dash will also begin later this week, with fan favorite Gabby Thomas competing on the women’s side. The men's and women’s 5k will also be competing which will be a tight race for a team spot for 1st time Olympian hopeful Parker Valby. Nico Young, the first gay male U.S. track and field Olympian in history who qualified for the Olympics in the 10k on Friday night, will also be competing in the 5k. Whether you’re looking to watch the women run 6.2 miles on a track freakishly fast or looking to see who will claim the 200m spots, the rest of the Olympic Trials will be worth watching.