The latter half of the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials kept fans on the edge of their seats, setting the stage for an exciting showcase in Paris. The event featured guest appearances from celebrities like Terry Crews, adding to the spectacle.
Athletes and spectators alike savored the thrill of witnessing 13 meet records being shattered at Hayward Field over the course of ten intense days. The fierce competition and record-breaking performances have heightened anticipation for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, promising an exhilarating display of athleticism and achievement.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has broken the 400-meter hurdle world record for the fifth occasion.
In her signature style, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made history once again on June 30th by breaking her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles with a stunning time of 50.65 seconds, marking the fifth time she has achieved this feat.
Throughout the qualifying rounds, McLaughlin-Levrone demonstrated her readiness to secure her third Olympic team berth. Her journey began in 2016 at the Rio Games when, at just 16 years old, she made her first Olympic team but was eliminated before the final. Determined, she vowed to return and compete for a podium spot.
True to her word, McLaughlin-Levrone earned her spot on the Olympic team again in 2021, where she clinched the gold and set a new world record alongside two-time Olympic and world champion Dalilah Muhammad. Despite Muhammad’s announcement that this would be her last Olympic Trials, she has not officially retired from the sport.
While Muhammad did not qualify for the Paris Games, her impact on the women’s 400-meter hurdles, prior to McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominance, remains significant. Together, these athletes have elevated the event to unprecedented levels and expanded its possibilities.
As McLaughlin-Levrone continues to rewrite history, the question of how fast she can go looms large. In a recent interview, she expressed her ambition to eventually run the event in 49 seconds. For perspective, her current world record time would have placed her 6th in the women’s 400-meter final at the Olympic Trials, while a 49-second race would have secured at least a 4th place finish.
Joining McLaughlin-Levrone in Paris will be former USC athletes Jasmine Jones and now two-time Olympian Anna Cockrell, aiming to achieve greatness together on the world stage.
Quincy Wilson is set to compete in the Paris Olympics.
Four months ago, Forbes published an article about Quincy Wilson’s potential to become an Olympian. By the age of 16, Wilson had already achieved numerous high school and national records. Heading into the Olympic Trials, Wilson had a personal best of 45.13 seconds, an exceptional feat for his age, but he knew he needed to run faster to have a chance at making it to Paris.
In the initial rounds of the men’s 400-meter race, Wilson shattered the U18 world record with a time of 44.66 seconds. After the race, Wilson expressed his excitement at the enthusiastic standing ovation he received and highlighted how love and support fuel his performance, hoping the positivity would continue into the next round.
Wilson’s wish was granted as he set another U18 world record in the second round, clocking 44.59 seconds amidst cheers from the crowd. His performance secured him a spot in the final.
In the final, Wilson ran 44.94 seconds, marking his third sub-45 second race in four days. While his time didn’t place him in the top three for the open 400-meter event in Paris, his 6th place finish positioned him as a contender for the relay pool, potentially making him an Olympian if selected.
The decision ultimately rested with the USATF relay coaches, who evaluate candidates based on their potential to contribute to Team USA’s success. Wilson shared on Instagram that he received a call from the relay coaches confirming his selection for the relay pool. This makes Wilson a historical figure for several reasons: he will be the youngest athlete since 1976 to compete in the 4×400-meter relay at the Olympics, and if chosen for the mixed 4×400-meter relay, he will be the youngest in history to participate in the event.
Most significantly, Wilson will become the youngest U.S. male track and field Olympian, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Masai Russell has broken Gail Devers’ Olympic Trials record.
If you ask a track and field fan about the toughest team to make, they’ll likely mention the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Last season, the U.S. boasted six of the top ten women in the world, including formidable competitors like former world record holder Keni Harrison and Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali.
Nike athlete Masai Russell earned a spot on the world team alongside Harrison and Ali last year. Despite not advancing in the world championships, Russell expressed determination in her post-race interview, boldly stating her goal to make the Paris Olympic team.
In a stunning performance at Hayward Field, Russell clinched the U.S. title with a new personal best and meet record of 12.25 seconds, breaking Gail Devers’ 24-year-old record of 12.33 seconds. Russell’s success is not surprising given her six-year training partnership with Devynne Charlton, the world record holder in the 60-meter hurdles.
Joining Russell in Paris will be Alaysha Johnson and Grace Stark. Johnson has battled health challenges throughout her career but has consistently delivered when it matters most. Stark overcame a serious leg injury two years ago, undergoing surgery to return to peak performance and now fulfills her dream of becoming an Olympian. Each of these women brings a compelling personal journey to this Olympic moment.
Raven Saunders has qualified for her third Olympic Games.
Raven Saunders, the Olympic Silver medalist in shot put, secured qualification for their third Olympic Games at Hayward Field this past week, marking a significant achievement in their challenging career.
Saunders faced an 18-month hiatus from competition due to anti-doping whereabouts failures, though it’s important to note they were not found guilty of using any performance-enhancing substances by USADA. Throughout their career, Saunders, an Ole Miss alum, has been outspoken about battling depression and poverty, adding layers of resilience to their journey as one of America’s top shot put athletes.
Earlier this season, Saunders declared their intent to retire from track and field after this year, determined to qualify for Paris. At the trials, they finished second behind U.S. Champion Chase Jackson, who threw 20.10 meters, earning his first Olympic berth. Third place went to Jaida Ross, an NCAA record holder and Bowerman finalist from Oregon Duck, cementing a formidable trio heading to Paris.
Jackson, a two-time world champion, leads the trio with strong medal prospects, while Saunders brings their Tokyo Olympic silver medal and a fifth-place finish from 2016. Ross, one of only seven American women to exceed 20 meters in shot put history, adds depth to the team’s medal potential.
Nikki Hiltz shattered the 1500-meter Olympic Trials record and has qualified for her first Olympic Games.
Nikki Hiltz was among the thirteen athletes who set meet records in Eugene, achieving a remarkable victory with a time of 3:55.33, nearly four seconds faster than her previous personal best from last season. Hiltz, who had previously won the U.S. title, showcased a strategic race that capitalized on her ability to conserve energy and unleash a strong kick at the end.
Elle St. Pierre was widely expected to dominate the 1500-meter race, entering with a formidable personal best of 3:56.00 and boosted by a recent 5000-meter victory. Leading for most of the race, St. Pierre’s confidence was evident, but Hiltz stayed close and capitalized on a fast pace set by competitors hoping to tire her out.
Despite the aggressive tempo, Hiltz found an extra gear in the final 200 meters, overtaking each competitor ahead of her, including St. Pierre. As she surged towards the finish line, Hiltz widened her lead, securing the gold medal. St. Pierre achieved a personal best of 3:55.99 to take third place, while second place went to Emily Mackay of New Balance, who also surprised with a significant personal best of 3:55.90.
The women’s 1500-meter final was notable for the high number of personal bests achieved, with eight out of twelve athletes setting new lifetime marks, adding to the excitement of the competition.
Gabby Thomas ran a world-leading time in the 200 meters, while James Corrigan secured his spot on Team USA for the Olympics.
In recent events, the women’s 200-meter and men’s steeplechase provided captivating performances. Gabby Thomas impressed fans by clocking a world-leading time and securing another U.S. title. Joining her in Paris will be newly professional Adidas athlete McKenzie Long and world silver medalist Brittany Brown.
However, disappointment struck as world champion Sha’Carri Richardson failed to qualify for the 200-meter team, finishing fourth overall. Richardson remains slated to compete in the 100-meter event in Paris.
Meanwhile, James Corrigan, the third-place finisher at the Olympic Trials in the steeplechase from BYU, faced a crucial challenge to meet the Olympic standard. Immediately after Eugene, he traveled to Philadelphia and successfully achieved the standard, securing his spot on the Olympic team for Team USA.
The official Team USA roster will be announced on July 8th. Athletes will continue to prepare for the Olympic Games by participating in Diamond League races leading up to the start of track and field events on August 1st, which kicks off with the 20k meter race walk.
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