Monday marked the conclusion of the first phase of the US Track and Field Olympic trials, with the confirmation of half of the team’s trip to Paris for the big matchup.
While some competitors were happy to rank in the top three in their respective categories and guarantee their tickets in the Olympics, others felt they could have performed better.
Reigning World Indoor Championships gold medalist Christian Coleman was shown the exit from the road to Paris in the 100m event.
Coleman finished the race in fourth place, as seen via the Peacock stream, with the top three spots claimed by Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Fred Kerley, respectively.
While Coleman’s 9.93 seconds finish matches the Olympic standard, failing to secure a place among the top three means his Paris dreams have come to an abrupt halt
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His aspirations shattered like a house of cards on the same track where he won the silver medal at the 2022 World Championships.
Coleman is renowned for his explosive start, but as he got closer to the 60-meter mark, his steps got longer and he seemed to lose speed, giving way to Lyles, Kerley, and Bednarek. Coleman’s weekend wasn’t great, but he still has a chance to compete in the 200m event next week.
This summer, Athing Mu, the reigning Olympic champion, will not be competing in her hallmark event in Paris. Mu stumbled and collapsed in the first 200 meters of the women’s 800-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Trials, which was a surprising event.
The holder of the American record was unable to recover and came in last in Monday’s race in Eugene, Oregon. The incident happened right before the second turn, as drivers were battling for position and forming a group. When Mu fell, she was sprinting in the midst of the group.