EssentiallySports Paris Olympics Predictions for Track & Field: Sha’Carri Richardson’s Rivals, Noah Lyles Redemption & More

The Olympics are blooming in its full glory in Paris. With glorious performances lighting up the venerated Olympic grounds, we have seen the likes of Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles mesmerize the fans with their magical flairs. Thankfully, there are a lot of other mesmerizing performances coming our way. And track and field is one such discipline that has always garnered massive intrigue at the Olympics, or any other grand stage for that matter. Olympic track and field has witnessed Florence Griffith-Joyner revolutionizing women’s athletics. It also bears testimony to how Usain Bolt single-handedly transformed the entire dynamics of the discipline. 

Well, what the veterans started is being carried forward by the shining stars of the current roster. Combining raw speed with fashion, the likes of Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson have made the track world sit up and take notice. But to dominate in the Olympics is a whole different ball game altogether. The sheer pressure of expectations from the fans can make the best of the best falter on the biggest stage. With the track and field events already underway, here’s what Essentially Sports’ winner’s picks are for the major track and field disciplines coming our way in Paris. 

Women’s 100m 

The women’s 100m has just witnessed the heats conclude a few hours ago. While the likes of Dina Asher-Smith, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, and Sha’Carri Richardson advanced to the semi-finals, shocking news regarding Shericka Jackson has come to light. The Jamaican, who was being touted as a major threat to USA’s Richardson, has opted out of the 100m. That leaves Richardson with a golden opportunity to clinch the gold in Paris. Although the Jamaicans will be looking to wreak havoc, Richardson has shown spectacular signs of improvement as Paris came closer.

Initially, Richardson was criticized heavily for her slow timings this year around and also almost being dethroned by Jacious Sears, considering that she was touted as the Fastest Woman in the World in 2023. But come the US trials, Richardson clinched the world lead with 10.71s on the clock. Although the US athlete clocked 10.94s in the heat and is behind Fraser-Pryce, Neita, and Ta Lou, it is definitely expected that the timing will improve once the D-day approaches. Thus, keeping the recent scenarios in mind, we would like to go with Sha’Carri Richardson, claiming her maiden Olympic gold. 

• Gold: Sha’Carri Richardson
• Silver: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
• Bronze: Daryll Neita 

Men’s 100m

It would definitely be quite tough for Marcell Jacobs to defend his title because of Noah Lyles’ explosive form this summer. Although Lyles’ personal best for this season has already been defeated by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson (who dashed to a world-leading time of 9.77 seconds), and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, Lyles might unravel his best form in the final stage. Although Lyles is currently only the third-fastest among the competitors, we would like to believe that he is indeed a seasoned athlete who would grab the gold with his oozing confidence and top-notch form.

• Gold: Noah Lyles 
• Silver: Kishane Thompson 
• Bronze: Ferdinand Omanyala or Akani Simbine

Women’s 200 m

Although fans were left disheartened, knowing the fact that Shericka Jackson wouldn’t compete in the 100-meter, they would surely get to witness her prowess in the 200-meter dash. Although Jackson would face formidable competition from USA’s Gabby Thomas, it might be a little easier for her to grab the gold given the fact that her biggest competitor unfortunately did not qualify for 200m. Sha’Carri Richardson failed to grab a berth in the 200-meter dash, thus making it easy for Shericka Jackson. But fans would not get to watch the Richardson vs Jackson rivalry on track this Olympics. Besides Jackson and Thomas, Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, Cote d’Ivoire legend Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith might affect the course of the game. But, it can still be predicted that Jackson would grab the gold in 200m.

• Gold: Shericka Jackson 
• Silver: Gabby Thomas 
• Bronze: Dina Asher-Smith

Men’s 200m

Noah Lyles would be aiming for gold in not just 100 m, but 200 m as well. Given his form and the musings of his mother, 200 meters is indeed his forte. However, his teammate Kenny Bednarek also aimed for the medal as he stood in second place in the world lead charts. Besides them, Erriyon Knighton and Courtney Lindsey too would fight for a podium place finish. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo too would compete against the US sprint stars. 

• Gold: Noah Lyles 
• Silver: Kenny Bednarek 
• Bronze: Letsile Tebogo 

Women’s 400m 

Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce currently stands at Rank 1 in the world, ranking with a personal best of 48.57. However, she would have McLaughlin Levrone and Dutchwoman Femke Bol as her strong rivals on the track. The scoreboard after the final 400 m dash might look like

• Gold: Nickisha Pryce 
• Silver: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone 
• Bronze: Femke Bol 

Men’s 400 m

Quincy Hall qualified with flying colors in the US trails for the 400-meter dash in Paris. From the USA, both Michael Norman and Christopher Bailey too have made it to Paris. Although they would have to fight for their victory against strong competitors, in all probability, they would have a fair chance to have a podium place finish.

• Gold: Quincy Hall 
• Silver: Matthew Hudson-Smith
• Bronze: Michael Norman

Women’s 400m hurdle 

The world knows in their heart that it would be none but the US hurdler who broke her own record five times to get the gold. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own record multiple times and is just counting hours to stand on the highest podium pedestal. However, Netherlands Femke Bol would be competing against her and would fight their way towards having their victory lap. And Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton too has qualified with a timing of 52.51 seconds in Jamaican trials.

• Gold: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone 
• Silver: Femke Bol 
• Bronze: Rushell Clayton 

Men’s 400m hurdle

Norweigan athlete Karsten Warholm would very likely retain his title this year as well. However, he would face strong competition from Rai Benjamin, Alison dos Santos, and Quincy Hall on his way toward the gold.

• Gold: Karsten Warholm
• Silver: Rai Benjamin 
• Bronze: Quincy Hall

Women’s 4×100 meter relay:

Would USA women be successful in defeating the Jamaican stars in the relays? Although the US has Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas in the relay team besides Tamari Davis and TeeTee Terry, they might be pushed in the second position by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and co. Great Britain and the Netherlands would fight for the third position.

• Gold: United States of America 
• Silver: Jamaica
• Bronze: Great Britain 

Men’s 4×100 meter relay:

In the men’s competition though, the US men would have a fair chance beside Jamaican athletes to secure the golden medals. The run for the bronze would be a tough call between Great Britain, Japan, and Canada.

• Gold: United States of America 
• Silver: Jamaica 
• Bronze: Canada

Women’s 4×400 m relay:

Besides the USA and Jamaica, the best in the track world, Holland might make a formidable entry in the scoreboard.

• Gold: United States of America 
• Silver: Jamaica 
• Bronze: Netherlands 

Men’s 4×400 m relay:

While the USA and Jamaica rivalry continues to make fans wait with bated breath, France would have a fair chance to grab a medal in this homeland in the 4×400 meter relay.

• Gold: United States of America 
• Silver: Jamaica 
• Bronze: France 

Women’s long jump 

Tara Davis Woodhall of America would win the gold in all probability. She might be followed by Bulgaria’s Plamena Mitkova and Germany’s Mihambo

• Gold: Tara Davis-Woodhall
• Silver: Plamena Mitkova
• Bronze: Malaika Mihambo 

Men’s long jump:

In men’s long jump, Jamaica would dominate the track. Both Wayne Pinnock and Carey McLeod have high chances of winning medals. But, Greek athlete Miltiádis Tentoglou would be their biggest rival.

• Gold: Miltiádis Tentoglou
• Silver: Wayne Pinnock
• Bronze: Carey McLeod 

Women’s 5000 meter

Faith Kipyegon from Kenya is the reigning champion and is also the current world record holder. And Kipyegon in all probability would continue to rule in the same position by winning the gold in Paris. However, she would be competing against strong Ethiopian competitors.

• Gold: Faith Kipyegon 
• Silver: Gudaf Tsegay 
• Bronze: Diribe Welteji

Men’s 5000 meter 

In the 5000-meter run, Ethiopian stars, Hagos Gebrhiwet and Yomif Kejelcha would be having podium place finishes. Besides them, Ethiopian star, Hagos Gebrhiwet would aim for the gold.

• Gold: Hagos Gebrhiwet
• Silver: Yomif Kejelcha
• Bronze: Hagos Gebrhiwet

Women’s 10,000 meter

Ethiopian and Kenyan power would reign supreme in this discipline alongside the other nations who had grabbed a berth in the 10,000-meter race. Kenya’s Lilian Kisiat might be donning the gold medal.

• Gold: Lilian Kisiat
• Silver: Gudaf Tsegay
• Bronze: Sifan Hassan

Men’s 10,000 meter

Kenyan athlete Daniel Ebenyo would face a tough challenge from Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi. However, Uganda’s athlete Joshua Cheptegei would be a formidable challenge for all.

• Gold: Selemon Barega
• Silver: Joshua Cheptegei
• Bronze: Daniel Ebenyo

Women’s Marathon

Going by the list of competitors in the women’s marathon, here too Kenyan women would reign supreme. However, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa would likely grab the gold given that she broke the world record last year by a large margin.

• Gold: Tigst Assefa
• Silver: Peres Jepchirchir
• Bronze: Hellen Obiri

Men’s marathon

Eliud Kipchoge has a high chance of winning the gold in this summer’s Olympics. However, the Kenyan star would face a tough rivalry from his own teammate, Benson Kipruto, and Ethiopia’s Sesay Lemma.

• Gold: Eliud Kipchoge 
• Silver: Benson Kipruto 
• Bronze: Sesay Lemma

Thus, while the world awaits with bated breath, it will be interesting to watch the word class athletes set the Olympics’ stage on fire in the upcoming days.