Sprint legend from the Bahamas touts 27-year-old British sprinter Zharnel Hughes as a dark horse for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This endorsement comes from a sprinting legend from the Bahamas. Under the guidance of a coach who has guided several contenders to Olympic wins, Hughes has “all the tools to be a breakout star in Paris.” All eyes will be on him, especially after his recent triumphs. This year alone he has taken to the track blazing at the Jamaica Invitational.

Even managing to overcome tough competition from some of the world’s fastest sprinters. Last year, they nominated him British Male Athlete of the Year in recognition of his Bronze medal win at the Worlds in Antwerp, Budapest. Selecting him as a dark shadow only adds up. With renewed focus and strategic adjustments, Hughes is positioning himself as a force to be reckoned with on the track.

Veteran believes Zharnel Hughes may be able to turn his game around 

In a recent episode of Justin Gaitlin’s YouTube podcast, he sat down with sprinting veteran Rodney Green to discuss the upcoming Olympic Games. While taking internet questions, they selected one from Matty Parkinson on Twitter, which read “Who’s he dark horse for a medal in 100M men’s?” Asking about someone who could win even though they are at fifth or sixth rank on the list right now. Gaitlin quickly jumped in saying, “I don’t know bro that’s kind of early now it’s way it’s definitely way early real early to tell who would be a dark horse in 100 meters.” However, Green added that he had someone in mind, Zharnel Hughes. 

Even Gaitlin agreed saying, “Hughes okay that’s a good pick I’ll say that’s a good pick Zharnel is somebody.” Zharnel Hughes is a definitive top contender as he has broken several long-standing British records. Including Linford Christie’s 30 year old 100m record by clocking a time of 9.83 seconds. Hughes’s coach, Glen Mills who has guided Usain Bolt to 8 Olympic medals also has complete faith in his abilities. Mills, a tough coach, holds Hughes to Bolt’s standards. Hughes explained, “He always compares the both of us at times. He’s always like, “I see similar traits in you than what I see in Usain.”

In 2023, Noah Lyles had even said that Hughes had a “target on his back” where Lyles was concerned. However, the British sprinter did not pay it any mind saying, “I’m not feeling pressured at all, so I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’m chilled. I’m not worried about me being the fastest guy in the world right now. It’s exciting. That’s how I see it.” Though Noah Lyles did manage to beat him at the World in Budapest, Hughes provided stiff competition. If he qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he will face stiff competition from Atlanta champion Noah Lyles.

Bahamas sprinter sets his sights on Paris Olympics 2024

For the upcoming Olympics, Zharnel Hughes is competing under the Jamaica Racers Track club headed by Glen Mills. It’s the same club that helped Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt realize their full potential. Hughes said about his coach, “He always says, ‘Once the mind believes, the body will achieve’. He has helped me to master the mind.” Right now the focus is definitely on the Olympics, especially after he was disqualified before the Tokyo 2020 Games. Hughes said, “I was destroyed. Leaving that Olympic Village after what happened was a nightmare. I just felt lost, as if I didn’t accomplish anything. But a story like that has helped me to actually tap in and want to unlock my true potential.” Moving forward, he wants to make every opportunity count. 

Hughes said his goal is to qualify and do his best, adding, getting to go to Paris, “would mean the world to me. That’s what I’m working towards. Anything is possible.” At the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, Hughes finished at a great time of 19.96 seconds in the 200m event. This was a significant victory as he surpassed American athletes Fred Kerley, the sixth fastest man in the world and Christian Coleman, the reigning 100m world champion. They finished second and fifth respectively. Even at the USATF New York Grand Prix, he managed to overcome the duo. These are the surefire signs that Hughes may indeed turn out to be a dark horse.