Of late you may have noticed America’s new Queen Sha’Carri Richardson making the news with her flamboyant and kickass confidence owning the tracks at the US Championships and Olympic trials. We all bow down to her greatness despite her having not yet won a single Olympic medal and the fact that she will have to face Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce in the 100 (Richardson is rightly favored to win, but Jackson has matched her for the best time in the 100 this season). The competition is even stiffer in the 200, where Richardson will have to fend off fellow Americans Mckenzie Long (world leading 21.83 time this season), Gabby Thomas (third best time this year with 22.07) and JaMeesia Ford (tied with Thomas for the third fastest time this season), along with a host of strong competitors from around the world, including possibly the return of defending champion Elaine Thompson Herrah (been off form but has not given up her spot yet). Happily for the rest of the field, Sydney Mclaughlin Levrone (second fastest time this year despite being a specialist in the 400M hurdles) has decided to sit out the 200 meter competition. Nevertheless, no golds are guaranteed for Ms. Richardson. Even if she loses, however, we all know that will only make her greater!
Lost in her substantial and curvy an glorious shadow, however, is the fact that the American men are deep in both sprints this time around as well. Noah Lyles is the defending world champion in both disciplines is strong, and he continually states that he intends to win four golds at the upcoming Olympics. He recently was victorious in the 100 meter Olympic trials, and betting against him would seem to be a clear mistake.
In the meantime, Rice Lake, Wisconsin’s own Kenny Bednarek is having a great season of his own. He has posted the fastest 200 meter time this year of any man with a 19.67 and the fifth fastest time in the 100, a new event for “Kung Fu Kenny.” Fred Kerley will also contend in the 100, and is a former silver medalist in the event (falling to Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Sr., an Italian who could pass for white. This rather amazing fact is explainable, however, when you learn that his father is an American serviceman of African descent who posted up on an Italian woman while serving as a hero when he was 18 and she was 16. Get some!). Kerley is not running his best in 2024, but he edged out fellow American Christian Coleman (greatest 60m runner of all time) for the final spot and cannot be counted out.
Meantime, in the 200 Bednarek and Lyles will likely be joined by a third American as yet unknown. While the trial is yet to finish, the first two names are extremely safe bets absent injury. It would seem highly likely they will be teamed up with Courtney Lindsey, who has the second fastest time this season behind only Bednarek.
Jamaica will always bring strong competition, and this year is no different. But the Bolt is well done and gone. It may be time to Make American mens track Great Again, like in the 80s and 90s. Make us proud boys, but be sure to uplift Queen Sha’Carri as you do so!