Athletics 2024 Paris Olympics Review
- Cain Bradley
- Aug 26, 2024
- 26 min read
Updated: Oct 30
Men’s 100m
Kenny Bednarek (United States) and Fred Kerley (United States) went fastest in round one but Kishane Thompson (Jamaica) arguably looked strongest. Oblique Seville (Jamaica) took the first semi-final with Akani Simbine (South Africa) winning in semi-final two. Thompson won the final semi-final and begun the final as favourite. The final followed an epic light show. Lamont Jacobs (Italy) got the best start and at 95m it looked like Thompson had it wrapped up only for Noah Lyles, using his 200m endurance and executing a perfect dip at the line, snatched victory. Both were credited with the same time, but Lyles won by five-thousandths of a second. Remarkably, all eight finalists finished within just 0.12 seconds.
🥇Noah Lyles 🇺🇸
🥈Kishane Thompson 🇯🇲
🥉Fred Kerley 🇺🇸
I wanted to go against the Lyles double and picked the wrong race. Kerley was always a sensible pick for a medal. Omanyala disappointed
Men’s 200m
It was the American showcase in the heats as Erriyon Knighton (United States) and Kenny Bednarek (United States) the only two men to dip under 20 seconds. Zharnel Hughes (Great Britain) withdrew prior to the competition. Bednarek would cruise to win the first semi-final. Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) beat Noah Lyles (United States) in the second semi. Knighton took the third semi, though it was the slowest of the three. In the final Bednarek and Tebogo seemed to get out fastest. By the turn, they were alongside Lyles. It was at 150m when Lyles started to tread water with Tebogo pulling clear. He crossed the line in a commanding 19.46, easing up before the finish. It was later revealed that Lyles had been competing with COVID.
🥇Letsile Tebogo 🇧🇼
🥈Kenny Bednarek 🇺🇸
🥉Noah Lyles 🇺🇸
I was right about Tebogo stopping the American sweep. I just wish we had seen Lyles at full health—he and Tebogo could have pushed each other to something truly special.
Men’s 400m
The big news from the heats was the withdrawal of Steven Gardiner (Bahamas). Michael Norman (United States) impressed, posting the fastest time in the heats. The first semi-final was won by Quincy Hall (United States) whilst Alexander Doom (Belgium) pulled up. Kirani James (Grenada) took the second semi with Matthew Hudson-Smith (Great Britain) taking the third. In the final, Jereem Richards (Trinidad and Tobago) went out hard but Hudson-Smith passed him at the top of the home straight. He would lead until about 395m. That’s when Quincy Hall surged ahead to take gold.. A fast-finishing Muzala Samukonga (Zambia) claimed bronze, edging out Richards.
🥇Quincy Hall 🇺🇸
🥈Matthew Hudson-Smith 🇬🇧
🥉Muzala Samukonga 🇿🇲
My prediction was ruined with Gardiner not competing. I thought Hudson-Smith would lead and the others would be trying to catch him.
Men’s 800m
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) went fastest in the heats. Several big names were eliminated early including Adrian Ben (Spain), Benjamin Robert (France), Koitatoi Kidali (Kenya), Peter Bol (Australia) and Slimane Moula (Algeria) in the heats. The first semi-final was won by Djamel Sedjati (Algeria). The second was taken by Marco Arop (Canada) with the final semi won by Wanyonyi. The final was fast from the start, with Wanyonyi leading through a blistering 50-second opening lap. Sedjati sat at the back of the pack early on. Gabriel Tual (France) surged into the lead on the back straight, but Wanyonyi responded at the bend, reclaiming the front. Sedjati made a strong move around the outside in the final stretch, but Wanyonyi held on to win gold by just 0.01 seconds in a thrilling finish.
🥇Emmanuel Wanyonyi 🇰🇪
🥈Marco Arop 🇨🇦
🥉Djamel Sedjati 🇩🇿
Prediction analysis; 2 medalists correct, 2 perfect prediction
My original drafts had Wanyonyi winning but the Diamond League races before the Olympics made me edge to Sedjati as Wanyonyi had the race go as he wanted without getting the win. This time he did not let it slip
Men’s 1500m
Ermias Girma (Ethiopia) went fastest in the heats, with Josh Kerr (Great Britain) and Stefan Nillessen (Norway) winning the other heats. Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) would take the first semi-final, pulling away alongside Kerr. In the second, Yared Nuguse (United States) won in a faster time. Ingebritsen would go straight to the front in the final and push on at 800m. Timothy Cheriuyot (Kenya) followed closely, with the field strung out behind them. Kerr would close the gap down the back straight. He would make his move with 80m to go, followed by the American duo, Cole Hocker (United States) and Nuguse. It was Hocker who had the most in the tank with Ingebrigtsen fading, having gone off too hard. The front three were separated by 0.15 with Hocker setting an Olympic record.
🥇Cole Hocker 🇺🇸
🥈Josh Kerr 🇬🇧
🥉Yared Nuguse 🇺🇸
I thought an American would beat Kerr as he concentrated on Ingebritsen. I picked the wrong one and the wrong position. Ingebritsen was too aggressive and Kerr ran his race to beat him
Men’s 5000m
It was a Norwegian sweep in the heats. Narve Gilje Nordas (Norway) took the first and Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) the second. Because of the incidents in the heats, it was a massive field for the final and it was slow. With two laps to go, the field started to string out a bit led by Addisu Yihune (Ethiopia). The first major move was launched by Hagos Gebrihwet (Ethiopia) and he led Ingebrigtsen with a lap to go. Ingebrigtsen would go past with 200m to go and soon opened a gap on Yihune with Ronald Kwemoi (Kenya) soon emerging as the strongest challenger. Grant Fisher (United States) would finish quickly to take bronze.
🥇Jakob Ingebrigtsen 🇳🇴
🥈Ronald Kwemoi 🇰🇪
🥉Grant Fisher 🇺🇸
The race was run to suit Ingebrigtsen. Krop was nowhere to be seen, which aligned with his recent form. Gebrhiwet missed out on bronze by just 0.19 seconds.
Men’s 10,000m
The Ethiopians set a fast pace early in the race, keeping the field tightly packed but increasingly strung out. At the halfway mark, the group was still together, though the strain was beginning to show. Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) would continue to inject pace. With three laps to go, thirteen athletes just about remained in contention. At 600m to go, Berihu Aregawi (Ethiopia) led only for Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) to make an attack over the top and lead with 400m to go. He opened up a small gap and soon it was Mo Ahmed (Canada) trying to come back at him. A bump sent Kejelcha backwards and Grant Fisher (United States) soon went into third and then second. Aregawi would come down the outside to take a silver medal but no one could get near Cheptegei, who set an Olympic record.
🥇Joshua Cheptegei 🇺🇬
🥈Berihu Aregawi 🇪🇹
🥉Grant Fisher 🇺🇸
I mentioned Fisher as a danger and so it proved
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Grant Holloway (United States) was the fastest by some way in the heats, setting the tone for the event. Freddie Crittenden (United States) jogged through his heat knowing he would be in the repechage round whilst Hansle Parchment (Jamaica) would also need the repechage. In the first semi-final, Holloway dipped under 13 seconds. Rasheed Broadbell (Jamaica) and Orlando Bennett (Jamaica) won the other heats. In the final, Daniel Roberts (United States) got the best start but clipped several hurdles, costing him momentum. Holloway pulled away and secured a comfortable victory, confirming his status as a legend in the event.
🥇Grant Holloway 🇺🇸
🥈Daniel Roberts 🇺🇸
🥉Rasheed Broadbell 🇯🇲
Holloway dominated as predicted. Crittenden was clearly hampered
Men’s 400m Hurdles
The big names cruised through the heats led by Karsten Warholm (Norway). The first semi-final saw Warholm win comfortably, with Clement Ducos (France) surprising many by beating Alison Dos Santos (Brazil) to qualify for the final. Kyron McMaster (British Virgin Islands) and Rai Benjamin (United States) took the other semis. In the final, Warholm exploded out of the blocks and led early, but Benjamin surged ahead with 100m to go. Down the home straight, Benjamin pulled away with a stunning finish, clocking an incredible 46.46 to take gold.
🥇Rai Benjamin 🇺🇸
🥈Karsten Warholm 🇳🇴
🥉Alison Dos Santos 🇧🇷
I predicted this well aside from the emergence of Ducos as a serious threat.
Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase
Soufiane El Bakkali (Morocco) won the first heat comfortably whilst his teammate Mohamed Tindouft (Morocco) posted a faster time in the second.. The final heat was taken by Lamecha Girma (Ethiopia). The final began with the Ethiopians injecting early pace, suggesting a fast race. However, the tempo slowed, and with 400m to go, a large pack remained. Eight runners were still in contention at the 300m mark. Girma seemed to be tracking El Bakkali only for him to take a mighty fall. El Bakkali would win behind his trademark fast finish, who knows what would have happened if Girma stood up as El Bakkali did not look at his best, despite securing gold
🥇Sofiane El Bakkali 🇲🇦
🥈Kenneth Rooks 🇺🇸
🥉Abraham Kibiwot 🇰🇪
I will maintain that Girma was going to win this until his awful fall. I mentioned Kibiwot as a medal threat. Did anyone expect Rooks to challenge?
Men’s 4x100m Relay
The United States qualified fastest from the heats, while China won the second heat, which was notably slower. The biggest shock came when Jamaica failed to qualify for the final, finishing fourth in the second heat. The final would open up as the first changeover from the United States was a mess. With 100m to go, Japan led, with Canada and Italy close behind. Akani Simbine (South Africa) and Zharnel Hughes (Great Britain) powered through the anchor leg, but Andre De Grasse (Canada) held on to secure victory for his team.
🥇Canada 🇨🇦
🥈South Africa 🇿🇦
🥉Great Britain 🇬🇧
I called Jamaica struggling. Canada surprised me considering I thought they were past their best. South Africa was not a team I expected to be at that level.
Men’s 4x400m Relay
Botswana won the first heat impressively, while the United States only managed third. France took the second heat. In the final, Botswana and the United States led at the first changeover. At the halfway mark, the order remained the same, with Great Britain close behind. The third leg saw the USA move into first, followed by Botswana. In the anchor leg, Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) chased down Rai Benjamin (USA) over the final 100m, closing the gap but unable to pass. The United States held on to win and set a new Olympic record.
🥇United States 🇺🇸
🥈Botswana 🇧🇼
🥉Great Britain 🇬🇧
I went away from Botswana mainly wondering about the final leg. Tebogo cleared those fears with an incredible leg.
Men’s High Jump
Shelby McEwen (USA) led qualifying with no fouls. JuVaughn Harrison (USA), however, failed to make the final. tIn the final, four men cleared 2.27m without any failures. At 2.31, only two went clear with no faults although Ryoichi Akamatsu (Japan) also went clear the first time at 2.31. At 2.34m, Hamish Kerr (New Zealand), Mutaz Barshim (Qatar), and Stefano Sottile (Italy) all cleared on their first attempts, while McEwen needed all three to stay in contention. At 2.36 both Kerr and McEwen cleared on their first attempts, setting up a dramatic finish. Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, where gold was shared, this time the athletes competed in a jump-off. Kerr emerged victorious with a 2.34m clearance, securing the gold medal.
🥇Hamish Kerr 🇳🇿
🥈Shelby McEwen 🇺🇸
🥉Mutaz Essa Barshim 🇶🇦
This event changed the most in my drafts. I did get Kerr. Barshim hadn’t shown enough this season for me to predict him to get a medal.
Men’s Pole Vault
Five men qualified for the final at 5.75 with no faults. In the final, every athlete who attempted 5.50m cleared it without faults. Eight men went over 5.70m on their first attempts. Three athletes cleared 5.80 on their first attempt, while Armand Duplantis (Sweden) chose to pass. Duplantis, Emmanouil Karalis (Greece) and Ersu Sasma (Turkey) went clear at 5.85 with no faults. Two others followed. Sam Kendricks (United States) was the first man over 5.90 followed by Karalis and Ernest John Obiena (Philippines). Diplantis and Kendricks would both go over but Kendrick couldn't keep pace with the Swede. Duplantis would go 6.10 to set an Olympic record. It would take three attempts but he followed it with a stunning 6.25 to set an incredible world record.
🥇Armand Duplantis 🇸🇪
🥈Sam Kendricks 🇺🇸
🥉Emmanouil Karalis 🇬🇷
I mentioned Karelis and Kendricks as contenders but did not predict either medalling.
Men’s Long Jump
Miltiadis Tentoglou (Greece) led qualification with a strong 8.32 jump. The big surprise was Tajay Gayle (Jamaica) failing to qualify for the final. In the final, Mattia Furlani (Italy) took the lead briefly with an 8.34 in the first round. Tentoglou responded immediately with a massive 8.48m, which would ultimately secure the gold. Wayne Pinnock (Jamaica) improved in the second round with an 8.36m jump to move into medal contention. None of the top six would improve after the second round.
🥇Miltiadis Tentoglou 🇬🇷
🥈Wayne Pinnock 🇯🇲
🥉Mattia Furlani 🇮🇹
Again, I mentioned Pinnock and Furlani as potential contenders
Men’s Triple Jump
Pedro Pichardo (Portugal) led qualification with the furthest jump, as one of five athletes to clear 17m. In the final, Jordan Díaz (Spain) opened with a strong 17.86m to take the early lead, ahead of Pichardo’s 17.79. Díaz delivered a consistent series of jumps, and although Pichardo improved to 17.84m, it wasn’t enough to take gold. The event concluded with an All-Cuban-born podium, a remarkable reflection of the nation’s legacy in the discipline.
🥇Jordan Diaz 🇪🇸
🥈Pedro Pichardo 🇵🇹
🥉Andy Diaz 🇮🇹
I mentioned the dominance of the Cuban jumpers and so it turned out
Men’s Shot Put
The qualification round saw Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri (Italy) leave it late, needing all three attempts to secure his spot—but ultimately going the furthest. Close behind were Tomas Stanek (Czech Republic) and Payton Otterdahl (USA), both showing strong form. Ryan Crouser (United States) would make his mark instantly in the final with a 22.64m ahead of Joe Kovacs (United States) with a 21.69m. In the second round, Crouser extended his lead by 5cm with Rajindra Campbell (Jamaica) in second at 22.15m. Crouser would increase his lead in the following round as he went out to 22.90m, sealing the gold. The fourth and fifth rounds saw no improvements among the top contenders, but Kovacs managed a final-round push to edge Campbell for silver on countback.
🥇Ryan Crouser 🇺🇸
🥈Joe Kovacs 🇺🇸
🥉Ravindra Campbell 🇯🇲
It’s silly to predict against Crouser but on form this season Kovacs looked stronger. I didn’t mention Campbell as a medal contender
Men’s Discus Throw
Lukas Weishaidinger (Austria) took the early lead in qualifying with a big opening throw. Mykolas Alekna (Lithuania) would go furthest in the whole of qualifying with a big throw in the second round. In the final, Kristjan Ceh (Slovenia) led with a 67.27m in the opening round only for Alekna to go to 68.55m. Ceh would follow with a 68.41m to keep the pressure on. Matthew Denny (Australia) would take the lead himself with a 69.31m. Still, in the second round, Alekna would go back into the lead with an Olympic record 69.97m. It was Roje Stona (Jamaica) who next went into the lead, throwing 70.00m and claiming gold in spectacular fashion.
🥇Roje Stona 🇯🇲
🥈Mykolas Alenka 🇱🇹
🥉Matthew Denny 🇦🇺
I went against Alenka but I thought championship experience would come to the fore. Instead, it was Stona in a big surprise.
Men’s Hammer Throw
Five men hit the automatic qualification threshold with Ethan Katzberg (Canada) leading. It was a massive 84.12m from Katzberg in the opening round of the final that put him in pole position. In round two, he followed with 82.28m, which turned out to be the last throw over 80m in the final. Mykhaylo Kokhan (Ukraine) would go 79.39 in round two to put him in second ahead of Eivind Henriksen (Norway) on 79.18. Bence Halasz (Hungary) would throw a 79.97 in the third round which took him into second and sealed the podium places.
🥇Ethan Katzberg 🇨🇦
🥈Bence Halasz 🇭🇺
🥉Mykhaylo Kokhan 🇺🇦
I expected Nowicki to look stronger but instead, it was Halasz.
Men’s Javelin Throw
Neeraj Chopra (India) threw furthest in qualifying ahead of Anderson Peters (Grenada). In the final, Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) took the early lead with an 86.16m although Julian Weber (Germany) appeared to go further but it was a foul. Peters would go into the lead in the second round with an 87.87m. The Olympic record would go in the second round, as Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) threw an incredible 92.97. Chopra would go into second place with an 89.45.
🥇Arshad Nadeem 🇵🇰
🥈Neeraj Chopra 🇮🇳
🥉Anderson Peters 🇬🇩
The podium came from the five I mentioned as contenders. I wish I was braver on Nadeem as I thought he had a serious chance.
Men’s Marathon
Eyob Faniel (Italy) made a bold attack just before halfway and it distanced Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya). Tamarat Tola (Ethiopia) launched a decisive attack that saw him open a gap. The three main chasers were Bashir Abdi (Belgium), Benson Kipruto (Kenya) and Deresa Geleta (Ethiopia) but it was Geleta who was first to fall off the pace. Abdi eventually pulled away from Kipruto, but it was too late to catch Tola, setting an Olympic record.
🥇Tamarat Tola 🇪🇹
🥈Bashir Abdi 🇧🇪
🥉Benson Kipruto 🇰🇪
I mentioned Abdi as a threat. I wanted to be against Kipchoge and perhaps should have been more aggressive about it
Men’s 20km Walk
It was mainly a large group that stayed together for a much of the race. Gradually it was reduced to a group of eight with four kilometres to go. Caio Bonfim (Brazil) was first to launch a serious attack, and with three kilometres to go, the lead group was down to four. The other contenders were Alvaro Martin (Spain), Brian Pintado (Ecuador) and Massimo Stano (Italy). Stano begun to drop off the back of the group. On the final lap, Pintado made his move and the others were unable to respond. He gained 14 seconds on that last lap and was followed home by Bonfim.
🥇Brian Pintado 🇪🇨
🥈Caio Bonfim 🇧🇷
🥉Alvaro Martin 🇪🇸
I had Bonfim as my fourth-placed finisher. Pintado was not someone I really considered as an option.
Men’s Decathlon
Damian Warner (Canada) led after the 100m, as he usually does. Sander Skotheim (Norway) won the high jump with Warner maintaining a 50-point lead. Makenson Gletty (France) won the shot put , while Leo Neugebauer (Germany) went into the lead. Heath Baldwin (United States) topped the high jump whilst Ayden Owens-Delerme (Puerto Rico) won the 400m. At the end of day one, Neugebauer led Owens-Delerme by 42 points with Skotheim and Warner in pursuit. Warner regained the lead after the 110m hurdles. Lindon Victor (Grenada) would set a Decathlon Olympic best in the discus with Neugebauer back to first. Janek Oiglane (Estonia) won the pole vault, clearing 5m. The big surprise came as Warner failed to register a vault, eliminating him from the competition. With two events to go Neugebauer led Markus Rooth (Norway) and Victor. Niklas Kaul (Germany) set an Olympic decathlon best in the javelin and a poor Neugebauer throw meant Rooth led by 16 from him entering the 1500m. A wet track would only make the 1500m slower especially for the top three. Rooth would come home first overall with Neugebauer staying close enough to Victor to take silver.
🥇Markus Rooth 🇳🇴
🥈Leo Neugebauer 🇩🇪
🥉Lindon Victor 🇬🇩
I did not really consider Rooth as a contender.
Women’s 100m
Key player, Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) withdrew prior to the Olympics beginning. Marie-Josée Ta Lou (Ivory Coast) went fastest in round one as one of nine women to run under 11 seconds. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) would pull out before the semis due to a hamstring injury. Melissa Jefferson (United States) won the first semi-final. Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) would take the second, finishing ahead of Sha’Carri Richardson (United States). Tia Clayton (Jamaica) took the final semi. In the final, Daryll Neita (Great Britain) got out of the blocks quickly but soon it was Alfred who took control of the race. She would pull away and set an incredible national record.
🥇Julian Alfred 🇱🇨
🥈Sha’Carri Richardson 🇺🇸
🥉Melissa Jefferson 🇺🇸
It felt wrong to go against Fraser-Pryce but every instinct told you she would not medal here. I mentioned Jefferson and she was the bronze medalist
Women’s 200m
Once again, the big news was Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) pulling out before the heats, along with Marie-Josee Ta Lou (Ivory Coast). Gabrielle Thomas (United States) went fastest in the heats ahead of Favour Ofili (Nigeria). Julian Alfred (St Lucia) won the first semi in 21.98 but Thomas went faster in the second semi. Brittany Brown (United States) won the third. In the final, Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain) got her usual great start. On the bend, Thomas took the advantage and moved ahead of Alfred. who herself pulled away from the field. Between third and sixth was just 0.04 but it was Brown who finished strongest over the final 20m to take bronze ahead of the British sprinters.
🥇Gabrielle Thomas 🇺🇸
🥈Julian Alfred 🇱🇨
🥉Brittany Brown 🇺🇸
Shericka not running hindered my prediction. I would have got Alfred second. I don’t think Brown would have been my bronze medal pick.
Women’s 400m
Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic) went quickest in the heats whilst Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bahamas) pulled up, her injuries proving too much. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) won the first semi, with Paulino looking impressive in taking the second. The fastest woman of the year, Nickisha Price (Jamaica), was eliminated and Natalia Kaczmarek (Poland) won the third semi. In the final, both Naser and Paulino would go off hard. No one would be able to catch Paulino though as she set an Olympic record.
🥇Marileidy Paulino 🇩🇴
🥈Salwa Edi Naser 🇧🇭
🥉Natalia Kaczmarek 🇵🇱
Naser wouldn’t have been a prediction. She has not shown form since the ban. Price maybe run her race in London.
Women’s 800m
Tsige Duguma (Ethiopia) went quickest in the heats, when beating Mary Moraa (Kenya). Big names who went out included Adelle Tracey (Jamaica), Habitam Alemu (Ethiopia) and Halimah Nakaayi (Uganda). Moraa won the first semi with a strong finish over the last 100m. Duguma led from the front in the second, while Keely Hodgkinson (Great Britain) went quickest in the third. In the final, it was a battle to get to the front and it was not until 300m that Hodgkinson got where she wanted. Moraa followed closely and it looked like being a titanic battle down the back straight. Instead, Hodgkinson pulled away while Moraa faded and Duguma accelerated past Moraa to take silver.
🥇Keely Hodgkinson 🇬🇧
🥈Tsige Duguma 🇪🇹
🥉Mary Moraa 🇰🇪
The field has a fresh look although it was a shame to not see Mu run.
Women’s 1500m
Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia) went fastest in the heats with Diribe Welteji (Ethiopia) and Nelly Chepchichir (Kenya) winning the other heats. Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) won the first semi-final while Welteji wonthe second. Tsegay would start quickest, leading after the first lap. SKipyegon soon followed and it was a group of nine, heading into the final lap. Tsegay begun to drift out of the leading pack. With 200m to go it was down to four as Kipchoge led Welteji, Jessica Hull (Australia) and Georgia Bell (Great Britain). Kipyegon would pull away down the final 100m with Welteji fading.
🥇Faith Kipyegon 🇰🇪
🥈Jessica Hull 🇦🇺
🥉Georgia Bell 🇬🇧
Tsegay had an awful games. I don’t think I would have got to Bell even without that.
Women’s 5000m
Three of the main contenders were in the first heat and with Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) winning it. Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) took the second heat. In the final, Kipyegon went to the front but it was not a quick pace at all. Her time at the front was short lived as several others took a turn in the lead. Ejgayehu Taye (Ethiopia) would up the pace. With two laps to go, there was a pack of nine with Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) at the back. Kipyegon launched her attack with 600m to go. Chebet and Hassan responded but only Chebet was able to stay on Kipyegon's heels. Chebet would look comfortable down the back straight and in the final 100m surged past to take gold. The race would continue to be controversial afterwards as Kipyegon was disqualified for a jostle with Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia) who would finish outside of the medal hunt only for Kipyegon to be reinstated hours later.
🥇Beatrice Chebet 🇰🇪
🥈Faith Kipyegon 🇰🇪
🥉Sifan Hassan 🇳🇱
I did not really consider Chebet as a major contender. Tsegay was not at her best as mentioned
Women’s 10,000m
An 80-second first lap set an incredibly slow pace. The halfway mark was reached in 15.49 meaning there was still a big pack. With two laps to go, 13 runners were still in contention. At the start of the final lap it was still eight and with 100m to go, seven athletes were still in the mix. Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) made her move at the 100m mark and had the finishing speed to seal the gold.
🥇Beatrice Chebet 🇰🇪
🥈Nadia Battocletti 🇮🇹
🥉Sifan Hassan 🇳🇱
I wouldn’t have predicted Battocletti as a medalist. I thought Hassan could get it but it was probably a bit fast for her to win.
Women’s 100m Hurdles
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Puerto Rico) went fastest in the heats. Grace Stark (United States) won the first semi with compatriot Alaysha Johnson (United States) winning the second. The third was the toughest semi, won by Camacho-Quinn with three others also advancing. In the final, the American athletes got the best start. At the line, it looked like a photo-finish. Masai Russell (United States) was awarded the gold by 0.01 ahead of Cyrena Samba-Mayela (France) with Camacho-Quinn a further 0.02 behind.
🥇Masai Russell 🇺🇸
🥈Cyrena Samba-Mayela 🇫🇷
🥉Jasmine Camacho-Quinn 🇵🇷
I called Russell the likeliest of the new names and still went elsewhere
Women’s 400m Hurdles
Femke Bol (Netherlands) went quickest in the heats though Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (United States) was arguably more impressive. Rushell Clayton (Jamaica) won the first semi. McLaughlin-Levrone took the second and Bol wonthe final semi. In the final, McLaughlin-Levrone got out fastest but Femke was level bythe fourth hurdle. As they reached 300m the American had opened up a significant gap, which only grew down the home straight as she set an incredible world record. Bol was second at 300m, followed closely by a pack of hurdlers. Down the back straight she was overtaken by Anna Cockrell (United States) who claimed silver.
🥇Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone 🇺🇸
🥈Anna Cockrell 🇺🇸
🥉Femke Bol 🇳🇱
I mentioned Cockrell as a possible contender. Bol potentially suffered from too many races or the pressure of the big race
Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase
Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) went quickest in the heats while Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya) and Winfred Yavi (Bahrain) won the other heats. In the final, Chepkoech took the race out aggressively, forming a lead group of seven that was reduced by halfway to five. Chemutai moved to the front with a lap to go. pulling away alongside Yavi. With 400m remaining, Chepkoech begun to fade and Yavi would launch her attack coming off the water barrier to win gold and set an Olympic record.
🥇Winfred Yavi 🇧🇭
🥈Peruth Chemutai 🇺🇬
🥉Faith Cherotich 🇰🇪
Chepkoech disappointed and instead, Chemutai took a place on the podium
Women’s 4x100m Relay
The United States went fastest in winning the first heat, while Great Britain came out on top in heat two. The final was run in the pouring rain, making changeovers even more difficult. Britain appeared to lead after the first couple of legs but Germany handed over in the lead for the final leg as Britain struggled with their final baton exchange. Britain did manage to come past Germany but the United States managed to beat them both with Sha'Carri Richardson (United States) famously staring at her rivals. Jamaica could only finish fifth.
🥇United States 🇺🇸
🥈Great Britain 🇬🇧
🥉Germany 🇩🇪
I had Germany down as contenders but expected a stronger Jamaican team with Fraser-Pryce and Jackson.
Women’s 4x400m Relay
United States won the first heat with Jamaica taking the second. The big shock came as Poland were eliminated. In the final, it was the United States who led after the first leg and by halfway the gap was massive. Jamaica pulled up during the second leg, which left Ireland in second place ahead of the Netherlands and Great Britain. Those two would close in on Ireland alongside France. United States would dominate to take gold, only 0.1 off the world record. Femke Bol (Netherlands) would produce a typical stunning final leg to overtake Ireland and Britain to take silver.
🥇United States 🇺🇸
🥈Netherlands 🇳🇱
🥉Great Britain 🇬🇧
Do not bet against Femke Bol in a relay!
Women’s High Jump
Angelina Topic (Serbia) was the standout story of qualification. She qualified on a fractured ankle but had to withdraw from the final. Qualification was led by Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine) and Nicola Olyslagers (Australia) who qualified with no faults. Lamara Distin (Jamaica) and Morgan Lake (Great Britain) missed out on qualifying for the final. In the final, eight athletes cleared 1.91m. Four remained faultless at 1.95m and they were joined by four others. Olyslagers would go over 1.98 on her first attempt and Mahuchikh would follow. None of the other competitors were able to match them by going clear at that height. Mahuchikh would go clear in her first attempt at 2.00 with Olyslagers needing three attempts to clear. No further successful jumps were made leaving Mahuchikh as the gold medalist.
🥇Yaroslava Mahuchikh 🇺🇦
🥈Nicola Olyslagers 🇦🇺
🥉Eleanor Patterson 🇦🇺
🥉Iryna Gerashchenko 🇺🇦
Topic may have been a contender without the injury
Women’s Pole Vault
The biggest surprise in qualifying was the elimination of Molly Caudery (Great Britain), who failed to register a mark. She could have entered at a lower height—15cm below the qualifying standard—and likely made the final, but opted to take a risk that didn’t pay off. In the final, nine vaulters would succeed at 4.70. Those who cleared 4.80m on their first attempts were Alysha Newman (Canada), Angelica Moser (Switzerland), Katie Moon (United States) and Nina Kennedy (Australia). They were joined by Amalie Svabikova (Czech Republic). Kennedy went over 4.85 on her first attempt while Newman and Moon then went over on their second attempts. Kennedy would then clear 4.90 and no one else could match her.
🥇Nina Kennedy 🇦🇺
🥈Katie Moon 🇺🇸
🥉Alysha Newman 🇨🇦
It was disappointing for Caudery to not make it through qualifying.
Women’s Long Jump
Tara Davis-Woodhall (United States) led qualification in the first round before going to 6.90m in the second. Malaika Mihambo (Germany) had two fouls before landing a 6.86m to secure her place in the final. Mihambo took the early lead in the final with a 6.77m only for Larissa Iapichino (Italy) to edge ahead with a 6.78m followed by Davis-Woodhall jumping 6.93m. Jasmine Moore (United States) would take the lead with a 6.96m continuing a great first round. Iapichino improved to 6.87m in the second round, but Davis-Woodhall responded with a massive 7.05m jump to take the lead. Mihambo jumped 6.95m in round three to keep the pressure on. Davis-Woodhall extended her lead in round four, jumping 7.10m. Mihambo improved to 6.98 in the fifth round but Davis was imperious on the day.
🥇Tara Davis-Woodhall 🇺🇸
🥈Malaika Mihambo 🇩🇪
🥉Jasmine Moore 🇺🇸
What a set of jumps put together by Davis-Woodhall. Moore was not someone I considered as a contender.
Women’s Triple Jump
Shanieka Ricketts (Jamaica) would go furthest in the first round of qualification only for Leyanis Perez (Cuba) to go longest in qualification with a 14.68m. Perez would take the first-round lead over Ricketts in the final. Thea Lafond (Dominica) would soar to 15.02m in the second round. Ricketts would improve as well to 14.87m. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (Ukraine) failed to qualify for the final three rounds. As rain begun to fall, the competition quality declined and no one came near the mark of Lafond. Her victory was Dominica’s first ever Olympic gold.
🥇Thea Lafond 🇩🇲
🥈Shanieka Ricketts 🇯🇲
🥉Jasmine Moore 🇺🇸
Peleteiro was nowhere near. I wish I had been bolder about Lafond who is a jumper I really rate.
Women’s Javelin Throw
Maria Andrejczyk (Poland) recorded the longest throw in qualification. A surprise came as Kelsey-Lee Barber (Australia) failed to advance. In the final, Haruka Kitaguchi (Japan) took the early lead in round one with a 65.80m. Flor Ruiz (Colombia) went into second with a 63.00m in the second round. The third round proved decisive as positions two to four were decided. Jo-Ane van Dyk (South Africa) threw 63.93m with Nikola Ogrodnikova (Czech Republic) reaching 63.68m and Sara Kolak (Croatia) a further 28 centimetres behind.
🥇Haruka Kitaguchi 🇯🇵
🥈Jo-Ane van Dyk 🇿🇦
🥉Nikola Ogrodnikova 🇨🇿
Neither of the Australians was anywhere near their best
Women’s Shot Put
Sarah Mitton (Canada) led qualification as one of the three women to throw over 19m. A major surprise came as Chase Jackson (United States) missed the final, only going out to 17.60m. The final was in horrible conditions for shot putting and Jaida Ross (United States) led after round one with a throw of 19.28m. Madison Lee Wesche (New Zealand) would take the lead with a 19.58m effort in round two. Mitton and Raven Saunders (United States) would struggle in the conditions and did not make it to the final three throws. Wesche extended her lead to 19.86m in the fifth round only for Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany) would go into the lead on her final throw with a 20.00.
🥇Yemisi Ogunleye 🇩🇪
🥈Madison Lee Wesche 🇳🇿
🥉Song Jiayuan 🇨🇳
This was arguably one of the most shocking results of the Olympics and I’d be surprised if anyone got this correct
Women’s Discus Throw
Valarie Allman (United States) dominated qualification, leading by almost four metres. In the final, Feng Bin (China) opened with a strong throw of 66.33m to take the lead. Allman responded in round two with a 68.74m that took her into the lead. Sandra Elkasevic (Croatia) went into second with a 67.51m throw in round three. Bin would match that effort but move into second by virtue of a better second throw. Allman sealed gold in round four by going out to 69.50m. When Elkasevic sealed the bronze, there was a large celebration from the popular Croatian.
🥇Valerie Allman 🇺🇸
🥈Feng Bin 🇨🇳
🥉Sandra Elksaevic 🇭🇷
I got this correct
Women’s Hammer Throw
Annette Echikunwoke (United States) led the first round of qualification, but it was Krista Tervo (Finland) who recorded the furthest throw. In the final, Camryn Rogers (Canada) led after the first round with Zhao Jie (China) going into first in round two. Rogers reclaimed the lead back in the third round with a throw of 74.47m only for Echikunwoke to respond with a throw of 75.48m. Rodgers would improve inn the fourth round with a 75.44m but her best throw came in the fifth round with a 76.97m as she took the lead that would seal her gold.
🥇Camryn Rogers 🇨🇦
🥈Annette Echikunwoke 🇺🇸
🥉Zhao Jie 🇨🇳
I picked the wrong American for silver.
Women’s Marathon
The lead pack stayed together for a long time. Melody Julien (France) would establish a small break but was soon reeled back in. With 10km to go, the pack had reduced down to nine. It was soon trimmed to five, led by Sharon Lokedi (Kenya). Behind her were Amane Beriso (Ethiopia), Hellen Obiri (Kenya), Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) and Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia). Beriso was first to drop off the pace followed by Lokedi. Soon it was two as Obiri fell away. Hassan attempted to make a move down the inside and there was a clash of elbows as Assefa held her line, not leaving any space. Hassan would eventually break through and go on to take gold, in an Olympic record. The winning margin was the smallest margin of victory in a women’s Olympic marathon.
🥇Sifan Hassan 🇳🇱
🥈Tigst Assefa 🇪🇹
🥉Hellen Obiri 🇰🇪
I thought the schedule would be too much for Hassan. The top three were the three I’d rate as the top three marathon runners in the field but I felt more major championship experience was needed.
Women’s 20km Walk
The women’s race walk saw the pack spread out much earlier than in the men’s event. An attack was made a long way before halfway by Yang Jiayu (China) with a group of eleven behind her. At halfway her advantage was 33 seconds. The race begun to fractures at 14km as Maria Perez (Spain) and Ma Zhenxia (China) broke away from the other chasers. Perez soon surged ahead and started to take some time out of Jiayu. With three laps to go, the lead was still 20 seconds. Zhenxia begun to fade and it would be Jemima Montag (Australia) who would go into the bronze medal position. The following lap, the gap reduced down to fifteen seconds. Jiayu responded by would increase the gap ahead of the final lap and instead the batle came as Montag had got to within five seconds of Perez. Montag was not able to catch Perez.
🥇Yang Jiayu 🇨🇳
🥈Maria Perez 🇪🇸
🥉Jemima Montag 🇦🇺
Garcia was not able to compete to the extent I expected.
Women’s Heptathlon
Annik Kalin (Switzerland) led the hurdles event followed by Taliyah Brooks (United States). In the high jump, it was Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Great Britain) and Nafissatou Thiam (Belgium) who both cleared 1.92m to put themselves iin the top two positions overall. Thiam won the shot put to move into first but Johnson-Thompson threw her personal best. She then won the 200m to go into the overnight lead. Martha Aruajo (Colombia) went furthest in the long jump but Thiam gained a centimetre after a poor round for Johnson-Thompson. Thiam went furthest in the javelin to take a strong lead over the Brit. Kalin held third place, five points ahead of Noor Vidts (Belgium). The 800m was led off by Anna Hall (United States) and she won impressively. Johnson-Thompson coudln't create a large enough gap allowing Thiam to take gold.
🥇Nafissatou Thiam 🇧🇪
🥈Katarina Johnson-Thompson 🇬🇧
🥉Noor Vidts 🇧🇪
Johnson-Thompson was able to perform better than I expected. Vidts was a bigger surprise to me.
Mixed 4x400m Relay
The United States set a world record in the heats. Great Britain won the other heat but finished over three seconds behind. United States would lead the final out with Belgium, Great Britain and the Netherlands chasing closely. That order held as the teams entered the final lap. Great Britain would pass Belgium on the back straight but Femke Bol (Netherlands) produced a dramatic surge on the home straight and go past her competitors to seal gold.
🥇Netherlands 🇳🇱
🥈United States 🇺🇸
🥉Great Britain 🇬🇧
Don’t back against Bol in the relays!
Mixed Walk Relay
Linke/Feige (Germany) led at the first changeover ahead of Martin/Perez (Spain). At the halfway mark, Cowley/Montag (Australia) led Zhang/Yang (China) and Ortiz/Gonzalez (Mexico). Behind them, there was a pack of five chasers in hot pursuit. On the third leg, Spain established a big lead, with only Pintado/Morejon (Ecuador) able to follow as China were punished for rule breaches. Stano/Palmisano (Italy) were 47 seconds behind the lead at the final changeover. Australia would push back towards the bronze medal on the final leg and Montag flew past Italy. Montag would attempt to chase down Morejon but ultimately fell short.
🥇Alvaro Martin/Maria Perez 🇪🇸
🥈Glenda Morejon/Brian Pintado 🇪🇨
🥉Rhydian Cowley/Jemima Montag 🇦🇺
This was a hard event to pick given the newness.
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