Athletes including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Noah Lyles, and Sha’Carri Richardson are almost ready to head to the Olympics in Paris after signing endorsement deals and finishing their commercials. Before they go, there is one more important item on their checklist—a very important detail.
All athletes must win a berth on the U.S. Olympic track and field team, regardless of prior achievements, at the trials, which begin this Friday. Nobody is given a pass.
As long as they fulfil the necessary Olympic requirements, only the top three finishers in each event earn a spot on the Paris-bound squad. This important competition, in which about 120 slots are available, is the only chance to represent the country on the main Olympic stage.
‘Hardest team to make’
“Trials, in my opinion, are always a good opportunity to see how the rounds are structured and how fit everyone is. Although we still have some time until Paris, this is always the hardest team to make, so you have to go out there and perform first.” McLaughlin was quoted as saying by apnews.com
Christian Taylor, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, is 34 years old and may not make the U.S. triple jump squad.
This is in sharp contrast to his incredible run of dominance from 2011 to 2019, during which he won every gold medal at the Olympics and world championships. Success at Hayward Field in Eugene is something he has to earn in the face of intense competition and big stakes, just like it was in the past.
“I always thought I had a lot to lose since everyone said, ‘Of course, you’re going to make it,’ and all of them expected me to succeed. However, the American squad is not to be taken lightly.” Taylor said.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has lowered the world mark four times in the last 36 months, including a whopping 50.68 seconds, catapulting the women’s 400-metre hurdles to must-watch status.
Femke Bol of the Netherlands, the current world champion who placed third behind her and Dalilah Muhammad at the last Olympics and second behind McLaughlin-Levrone in 2022, has developed a rivalry with her as a result of her performances.