2024 Paris Olympics: Justin Gatlin Predicts Medalists in Men’s 100m

• Justin Gatlin has revealed his predictions for the men's 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics as track and field kicks off
• Noah Lyles is the favourite to win gold but is facing tough competition from Jamaican champion Kishane Thompson
• Gatlin was the last American to win the 100m title at the Olympics; he did so in 2004 in Athens, Greece

The men's and women's 100m will be one of the races to watch at the 2024 Paris Olympics as athletics gets underway.

World champion, Noah Lyles, is the favourite to win the race, but Jamaicans and a few African representatives will challenge him.

Justin Gatlin, the men's 100m gold medalist at the 2004 Olympics, has predicted the men's race.

The 100m has always been the most anticipated track event at the Olympics. Usain Bolt dominated it for three Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016), and Americans are trying to regain the title.

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Noah Lyles won the world title last year and is seeking his first-ever gold medal at the Olympic Games.

It won't be a cakewalk for the straight-talking sprinter, as there are several serious contenders for the Olympic 100m crown.

Kishane Thompson, the world leader this year, surprised many when he won the Jamaican trials in 9.77 seconds. His compatriot Oblique Seville has also emerged as a top sprinter (9.82 seconds).

Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala has the second-fastest time (9.79 seconds) this year, while Lyles is third with 9.81 seconds, per World Athletics.

Other top sprinters expected to light up the Paris Olympics are Akani Simbine, world silver medalist; Letsile Tebogo, reigning Olympic champion; Marcell Jacobs; and Kenny Bednarek.

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Justin Gatlin's Olympics prediction

The American holds the fifth fastest time (9.72 seconds) in history. He shared his prediction for the men's 100m on his X.

Gatlin believes Thompson will claim the gold medal while Lyleas and Seville will take the silver and bronze medals.

Thompson has not participated in any major competition but has already faced some of the world's best sprinters.

He finished fourth in 9.87 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic in September 2023.

"If Kishane is ahead of Noah at the 45-50m mark, it's Kishane's to win. I don't see Noah running Kishane down. I'm only saying that because Kishane hasn't shown us the rest of what he can do," Gatlin said on the Ready Set Go channel on YouTube.

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Usain Bolt's prediction

Briefly News also reported that three-time 100m Olympic champion and world record holder, Usain Bolt backed Oblique Seville to win gold in the men's 100m.

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Bolt said his compatriot has been outside the medal positions in the major competition but reckons he can win if he's healthy.

Source: TUKO.co.ke