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5 potential breakout stars for USA Track and Field at Paris Olympics 2024 ft. Erriyon Knighton
The Paris Olympics 2024 will see numerous young US athletes compete in various track and field events. Besides established stars like Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman, these young athletes will also play a key role in the USA's medal aspirations at the 2024 Summer Games.
From the talented Quincy Wilson to the rising star Erriyon Knighton, the list of young stars set to feature at the upcoming Olympics is long. With that said, let's take a look at the top potential breakout stars at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Top breakout stars to keep an eye on at the Paris Olympics
#5. Quincy Wilson
The 16-year-old Quincy Wilson is poised to be in the conversation of breakout stars at the upcoming event in Paris. Besides winning tournaments such as the Pepsi Florida Relays and the New Balance National Outdoors in the 400m discipline at the high school level, Wilson is also the American school record holder in the 400m sprint (44.20 seconds at the Holloway Pro Classic 2024).
He also had an impressive run in the 400m event at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials that concluded last month. Even though he failed to obtain a place in the 400m US team after he finished sixth in the finals, his performance solidified his place in the 4x400m relay pool for the quadrennial event.
#4. Erriyon Knighton
The two-time World Championships medalist Erriyon Knighton has been one of the most consistent young athletes when it comes to the men's 200m sprint. After producing a staggering performance at the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo where he finished fourth in the finals, the Florida native will look to once again present a strong case for himself in the 200m event in Paris.
Knighton finished third in the 200m event finals with a run time of 19.77 seconds at the recently held US Olympic Track and Field Trials, just behind Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek.
#3. McKenzie Long
The 24-year-old McKenzie Long is one of the most interesting young prospects in the women's events. Long has had a breakout season as she clinched the women's 100m and 200m titles at the 2024 NCAA Division I Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
Long carried this momentum to the US Olympic Track and Field Trials and punched her ticket for the women's 200m event at the Paris Olympics. She finished third in the discipline behind Gabby Thomas and Brittany Brown with a run time of 21.91 seconds at the Trials.
#2. Alaysha Johnson
Alaysha Johnson, the 2023 Pan American Games bronze medalist in the 100m hurdles, is one of the exciting young stars to keep an eye on during the Paris Olympics. Johnson has previously represented the United States at the World Championships and has immense experience behind her.
She clinched a silver medal in the 100m hurdles event last year at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships (12.35 seconds) and a bronze medal in the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago (13.19 seconds).
Johnson's second-place finish in the women's 100m hurdles finals at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials makes her a strong contender in the discipline at the Paris Olympics.
#1. Jaida Ross
The 22-year-old Jaida Ross punched her ticket for the Paris Olympics after her third-place finish in the women's shot put event during the US Olympic Track and Field Trials. With a personal best of 20.01m set at the 2024 NCAA Track and Field West Regionals, Ross will pose a strong challenge in the women's shot put discipline at the upcoming Olympics.
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