The women's 100m heats at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (© Mattia Ozbot)
Athletics action at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is well under way and competition continues at the Stade de France on Saturday (3).
With three titles decided on the first two days of competition, day three includes four finals as well as the conclusion of the decathlon.
Here are five things to look forward to.
Sprint showdown
USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson is on the hunt for an Olympic title to add to her world gold in the women’s 100m.
The women's 100m heats at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (© Christel Saneh for World Athletics)
The last four Olympic titles in this event have been won by Jamaica and two of those – from 2008 and 2012 – were claimed by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Now Fraser-Pryce, competing in her fifth Games, will be racing for more medals to add to her collection of three golds, four silvers and a bronze.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith went quickest in the heats, clocking 10.87, as Fraser-Pryce and Daryll Neita clocked 10.92, and Richardson ran 10.94.
Julien Alfred, who became Saint Lucia’s first track and field athlete to earn a global medal when winning world 60m gold in Glasgow, could make Olympic history for her nation in Paris. She won her heat in 10.95.
Shot put battle
World record-holder Ryan Crouser has the chance to win an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic title in the men’s shot put, but the injury challenges he has faced this year means the contest has been opened up.
Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser in Tokyo (© Getty Images)
His compatriot Joe Kovacs, the silver medallist behind Crouser at the past two Games, is the world leader and the sole athlete to have surpassed 23 metres so far in 2024, but Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri starts with recent defeats over both Crouser and Kovacs.
It’s all to throw for.
Decathlon drama
The men’s decathlon kicked off the in-stadium action in Paris on Friday (2) and it will bring day three’s competition to a close.
Defending champion Damian Warner is a strong contender, as is world leader Leo Neugebauer of Germany. There has understandably been big support for home athlete Makenson Gletty, although his compatriot Kevin Mayer, the world record-holder and 2017 world champion, was a late withdrawal through injury.
Makenson Gletty in action at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (© Dan Vernon)
The second day of the decathlon will start with the 110m hurdles, followed by the discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m – the final track action of the day.
Triple jump stars seek to succeed Rojas
World record-holder and eight-time global champion Yulimar Rojas is injured and doesn't defend her title, but there are several contenders looking to secure the spotlight in the women’s triple jump.
Thea LaFond in the triple jump at the Tokyo Olympic Games (© AFP / Getty Images)
Cuba’s Leyanis Perez is undefeated outdoors this year and jumped a world lead in her final pre-Paris competition, while world indoor champion Thea LaFond has the chance to become Dominica's first Olympic medallist in any sport. Spain’s Ana Peleteiro-Compaore will also be looking to build on her status as a proven championship performer.
Get ready for the relay
In the mixed 4x400m, world champions USA will be on a mission to win a first Olympic title, especially after their world record in the heats.
Kaylyn Brown anchors USA to a mixed 4x400m world record in the heats at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (© Dan Vernon)
The Netherlands will be looking to rebound after Femke Bol’s fall in the closing stages of the world final in Budapest last year, while France will want to build on the national record they set in the heats.
Great Britain & Northern Ireland took world silver in Budapest and could once again challenge for a podium place.
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