Form guide and predictions for the mens and womens 100m, 200m and 400m at the Olympics

Here is your armchair guide to the sprints at the Paris Olympics. Dont forget to follow our coverage of the Games on our website and social media channels.

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The below statistics first appeared in our monthly print magazine, which you can buy here. 

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Mens 100m

Final: August 4

Defending champion: Marcell Jacobs (ITA) 9.80

Olympic record-holder: Usain Bolt (JAM) 9.63, 2012

World champion: Noah Lyles (USA) 9.83

World leader: Kishane Thompson (JAM) 9.77

This should be a close battle, though the event is yet to truly catch fire in 2024 so far.

Top contenders

Kishane Thompson (JAM) (9.77 in 2024)

The Jamaican champion has never taken part in a major championships but, as well as his 9.77 win in Kingston, he won in Szekesfehervar.

Ferdinand Omanyala (KEN) (9.79 in 2024)

The Commonwealth champion won the Kenyan trials in 9.79 but has yet to prove himself globally.

Noah Lyles (USA) (9.83 (9.80w) in 2024)

The reigning world champion won the US trials in 9.83 and, though 200m is his best event, he starts as marginal favourite.

Fred Kerley (USA) (9.88 in 2024)

The 2022 world champion only squeezed into the US team, but has been very consistent around the 9.90s.

British challenge: Though he has had injury issues, world medallist Zharnel Hughes is the safest British bet but NCAA champion Louie Hinchliffe and Jeremiah Azu could also make the final.

AW Prediction: 1 Lyles (USA) 9.79; 2 Kerley (USA) 9.80;
3 Thompson (JAM) 9.81

Womens 100m

Final: August 3

Defending champion:
Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM) 10.61

Olympic record-holder:
Florence Griffith Joyner (USA) 10.61 (10.54w) 1988

World champion: ShaCarri Richardson (USA) 10.65

World leader: ShaCarri Richardson (USA) 10.71

The usually strong Jamaican challenge looks weaker than normal, with defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah injured.

Top contenders

ShaCarri Richardson (USA) (10.71 in 2024)

The world champion was mightily impressive at the US trials and will start as a big favourite.

Julien Alfred (LCA) (10.78 in 2024)

The 60m world indoor champion ran a national record 10.78 early in June and easily won the Monaco Diamond League in 10.85.

Shericka Jackson (JAM) (10.84 in 2024)

The Olympic bronze medallist did not look at her best earlier in the year but a 10.84 in the Jamaican trials suggests she will peak in Paris.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) (10.91 in 2024)

The 2008 and 2012 champion has not looked quite as dominant in 2023 and 2024 and was only third in the Jamaican trials.

British challenge: European champion Dina Asher-Smith is looking sharper, while Daryll Neita will need improvement to make the final.

AW Prediction: 1 Richardson (USA) 10.60; 2 Alfred (LCA) 10.71; 3 Jackson (JAM) 10.75

Mens 200m

Final: August 8

Defending champion:
Andre De Grasse (CAN) 19.62

Olympic record-holder:
Usain Bolt (JAM) 19.30, 2008

World champion: Noah Lyles (USA) 19.52

World leader: Noah Lyles (USA) 19.53

The USA have an excellent chance of a clean sweep and should be led by Noah Lyles yet again.

Top contenders

Noah Lyles (USA) (19.53 in 2024)

The three-time world 200m champion was only third at the Tokyo Olympics but hasnt lost since.

Kenny Bednarek (USA) (19.59 in 2024)

The 2021 silver medallist pushed Lyles close at the US trials. Is in his best shape ever this year.

Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
(19.71 in 2024)

The 300m world record-setter who won two medals in Budapest has also run a 9.99 100m and 44.29 400m this summer.

Erriyon Knighton (USA)
(19.77 in 2024)

Still only 20 he was fourth in the last Olympics and won medals at both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.

British challenge: Injury issues mean Zharnel Hughes is unlikely to be as fit as last year, when he was fourth at the World Championships.

AW Prediction: 1 Lyles (USA) 19.30; 2 Bednarek (USA) 19.47; 3 Knighton (USA) 19.53

Womens 200m

Final: August 6

Defending champion:
Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM) 21.53

Olympic record-holder:
Florence Griffith Joyner (USA) 21.34, 1988

World champion: Shericka Jackson (JAM) 21.41

World leader: Gabby Thomas (USA) 21.78

Americans dominate the rankings, but Shericka Jackson remains favourite despite a poor start to 2024.

Top contenders

Gabby Thomas (USA) (21.78 in 2024)

Based on her win at the US trials, the Tokyo bronze medallist and 2023 world silver medallist looks sure to be to the fore again.

McKenzie Long (USA) (21.83 in 2024)

The NCAA double sprint champion is making her major championships debut but has run her four fastest times in major US domestic events this summer.

Julien Alfred (LCA) (22.16 in 2024)

Fourth at the World Championships last year and ran a world indoor lead of 22.16 in February, then clocked the same time in July.

Shericka Jackson (JAM) (22.29 in 2024)

In 200m terms, looks well short of the 21.41 form she showed in winning the world title, but has unfinished business with the Olympics after an early exit
in Tokyo.

British challenge: The 2019 world champion Dina Asher-Smith looks in great form after a year training in Texas and should be in the mix for medals. European silver medallist Daryll Neita is much better than her ranking suggests, while Bianca Williams is finding her form.

AW Prediction: 1 Jackson (JAM) 21.65; 2 Thomas (USA) 21.70; 3 Alfred (LCA) 21.75

Mens 400m

Final: August 7

Defending champion: Steven Gardiner (BAH) 43.85

Olympic record-holder:
Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) 43.03, 2016

World champion: Antonio Watson (JAM) 44.22

World leader: Quincy Hall (USA) 43.80

This event had looked wide open, but Quincy Hall of the USA has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the Games.

Top contenders

Quincy Hall (USA) (43.80 in 2024)

The Budapest bronze medallist won the Stockholm Diamond League and then the US trials, before setting a big world lead in Monaco.

Chris Williams (CAN) (44.05 in 2024)

The much-improved Canadian has won NCAA titles indoors and out this year.

Alexander Doom (BEL) (44.15 in 2024)

The world semi-finalist has won
world indoor and European golds at 400m and 4x400m and lowered his
PB to 44.15 this year.

Michael Norman (USA) (44.21 in 2024)

The 2022 world champion narrowly lost to Hall in the US trials and has raced sparingly in 2024.

British challenge: Momentum is with Matt Hudson-Smith, who broke the European record with 44.07 in Oslo, as well as clocking a 20.34 PB at 200m. European runner-up Charlie Dobson has an excellent shot at the final.

AW Prediction: 1 Hall (USA) 43.75; 2 Hudson-Smith (GBR) 44.06; 3 Doom (BEL) 44.15

Womens 400m

Final: August 9

Defending champion: Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) 48.36

Olympic record-holder: Marie Jose Perec (FRA) 48.25, 1996

World champion: Marileidy Paulino (DOM) 48.76

World leader: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) 48.75

Another event that looks very open. Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo has run just 53.02 this summer but is entered.

Top contenders

Nickisha Pryce (JAM) (48.89 in 2024)

Has made big progress in 2024, winning the NCAA and Jamaican titles.

Natalia Kaczmarek (POL) (48.97 in 2024)

The ultra reliable Pole followed up her world silver with a very fast European win in Rome last month.

Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL) (49.07 in 2024)

Narrowly lost out to Kaczmarek in Rome, but could become Irelands first ever Olympic womens track and field champion.

Marileidy Paulino (DOM) (49.20 in 2024)

The reigning world champion was second in Tokyo and has won Diamond League meetings in Xiamen, Suzhou, Oslo and Paris this year.

Kendall Ellis (USA) (49.46 in 2024)

A mainstay of the 4x400m team with a gold in Tokyo, but hasnt reached the same level individually. Has made a breakthrough this year to win the US trials.

British Challenge: NCAA bronze medallist Amber Anning has improved to 49.51 this summer and could break the UK record and make the final. Laviai Nielsen was sixth in Rome and set a 50.67 PB in Paris, while Victoria Ohuruogu was sixth at the UK Championships.

AW Prediction: 1 Paulino (DOM) 48.67; 2 Adeleke (IRL) 48.76; 3 Kaczmarek (POL) 48.88