Three-time Olympic medalist Will Claye would look to stand the best chance of making a fourth team. (KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT)
PEERLESS PROGNOSTICATIONS by Dave Johnson
as of May 29
Team USA for August’s Olympic Games in Paris will be chosen at the USATF Championships (Eugene, June 21–30).
With just 13 days from the end of the NCAA to the start of the selection meet, collegians will have an extra week for recovery compared to the ’21 OT.
From the tenuous vantage point of 3+ weeks out, here’s our Top 10 charting for each men’s event. The listing of an athlete in a discipline doesn’t guarantee he’ll contest that event (or events).
Note that unlike the World Championships, there are no Wild Cards for the Olympics. Assuming that either the relevant standard is met or the athlete has a high enough position in WA’s world rankings, a nation can enter up to 3 athletes in an event. The U.S. should come close to earning a full quota.
Athletes with a chance to make a fourth team (individual events only): Matthew Centrowitz 1500, Will Claye TJ. Potential 3-timers: Trayvon Bromell 100, Clayton Murphy 800, Hillary Bor steeple, Paul Chelimo 5000, Sam Kendricks PV, Marquis Dendy LJ, Christian Taylor TJ, Ryan Crouser & Joe Kovacs SP, Rudy Winkler HT, Zach Ziemek decathlon.
Here’s our Top 10s. The number in the right-hand column represents the athlete’s placing in last year’s T&FN U.S. Rankings. Athletes who are asterisked have made the Olympic standard.
100 METERS
1.
*Noah Lyles
(adidas)
1
2.
*Christian Coleman
(Nike)
2
3.
*Fred Kerley
(Asics)
3
4.
Kenny Bednarek
(Nike)
9
5.
Courtney Lindsey
(Nike)
10
6.
Kyree King
(Nike)
nr
7.
*Kendal Williams
(adidas)
nr
8.
Ronnie Baker
(adidas)
nr
9.
*Brandon Hicklin
(adidas)
nr
10.
Trayvon Bromell
(New Balance)
8
(also * — Marvin Bracy-Williams, Cravont Charleston, Christian Miller)
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