A world record would be perfect final Olympic tune-up for in-form Crouser

LONDON : American Ryan Crouser hinted a world shot put record could be on the cards at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday in what would be an ideal final tune-up before he aims for his third Olympic gold medal in Paris.

The 31-year-old has broken the world outdoor record twice, most recently with his throw of 23.56 metres in May 2023.

"I know it has a chance of being a world record before (the shot) even leaves my hand," Crouser told reporters on Friday. "If I can make it through the 'don't mess it up phase', I know I'll be in pretty good shape.

"If the world record comes it'll be the later rounds. If the crowd is louder then we'll have bigger throws."

Crouser - whose neighbours in Farmington, Ark., dressed in USA gear and waved American flags in an Olympic send-off this week - said he is finally fit after being hampered by an elbow injury ahead of the U.S. team trials last month.

"I feel good and I'm rounding into shape ahead of the Olympics. There's been an upward trend since trials as I was unproven (with injury) before then," he said. "It's been a frustrating year to say the least. At 31 I probably don't want to admit I needed to slow things down.

"When I was younger I was throwing consistently well in training but wasn't hitting the positions in the meets," he added. "Now in my 30s I don't throw as far in training but I know that I'll throw better and peak in the meet."

Crouser is part of a star-studded lineup for the final Diamond League meet before the Olympic athletics competition begins on Aug. 1.

Reigning world champion Noah Lyles of the U.S. headlines a stacked men's 100-metre race that includes South Africa's Akani Simbine, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, Ackeem Blake of Jamaica and Britons Jeremiah Azu, Louie