Kishane Thompson in the 100m heats at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (© Dan Vernon)....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is now getting into the thick of the in-stadium athletics action, and there’s a lot to look forward to this Sunday
“If you don’t have main character energy, then track and field ain’t for you,” said Noah Lyles on recent Netflix docuseries SPRINT.
The world champion gave a glimpse of that energy on the start line in the first round of the men’s 100m on Saturday but once the gun fired he was forced to play a supporting role behind Britain’s NCAA champion Louis Hinchliffe, who won the heat in 9.98. Lyles clocked 10.04 to advance to the semifinals.
Jamaican sprinters Oblique Seville – the only man to beat Lyles ahead of the Games year – and Kishane Thompson, the world leader, will provide stiff opposition. They won their heats in 9.99 and 10.00 respectively, making it look comfortable.
Defending champion Marcell Jacobs won’t want to surrender his title without a fight but, like Lyles, he finished second in his heat in 10.05.
As Olympic medallist and TV commentator Ato Boldon said in SPRINT: “There is no crown heavier than the Olympic 100m title.”
