Athletics Stars, rivalries, key events to watch at Paris 2024

Expect dramatic storylines, thrilling competition, fierce rivalries and even world-record performances when the athletics holds at Paris 2024. The world’s greatest athletes will attempt to run, jump and throw themselves into the history books at Stade de France between August 1 and 11 in the French capital.

With the opening ceremony now over, here are 10 things to watch out for.

Can Anyone Deny Lyles?
Noah Lyles lowered his 100m personal best to 9.81 seconds in July – 0.23secs behind Usain Bolt’s world record. Can anyone deny Noah Lyles in his bid for an unprecedented four track golds?

The American, winner of Olympic bronze three years ago, claimed 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold at last year’s World Championships and wants to add the 4x400m relay to his targets in Paris.

Great Britain’s world bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes will hope to be among his rivals, while team-mate Louie Hinchliffe, coached by American great Carl Lewis, could provide one of the stories of the Games as the British 100m champion, 22, makes his Olympic debut following a breakout year.

Jamaicans Kishane Thompson – the fastest man this year with a 100m best of 9.77 seconds – and Oblique Seville have shown good form in 2024, while Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala has gone faster than Lyles over 100m and Italy’s Marcell Lamont Jacobs will be determined to defend his crown.

Fraser-Pryce’s Olympic Farewell
Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce contests her final Olympics and aims to end her illustrious career by making the 100m podium at a fifth successive Games.

The 37-year-old five-time world 100m champion is the third-fastest woman in history, but faces stern competition from the likes of reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson and world 200m champion