BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — For about 2,200 athletes representing 202 countries, the track and field world championships in Budapest are a chance to see how everything is trending on the first step toward next year’s Olympics in Paris.
It’s a chance to find out how training is going and how they stack up against many of the same competitors they’ll face next year. And it’s a chance for the world to find out who to watch over the next 11-plus months, before track and field starts at the Stade de France on Aug. 2, 2024.
But this is not merely a warmup. Any athlete who breaks a world record over nine days in Budapest will take home a check for $100,000. Those who finish on the podium will take home medals that feature Hungary’s Liberty Statue atop Gellért Hill, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. On the flip side of the medal is a picture of the National Athletics Centre, a sparkling-new venue, which cost nearly $700 million, that is hosting the championships.
A look at 10 athletes who are medal favorites now — and will be again a year from now in Paris:
SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON
With her colorful hair, glitzy nails and, of course, fast times, Richardson stands out on the track. The 23-year-old from Dallas has the second-fastest 100-meter time in the world this season. Richardson will run the 100 and 200 at the worlds a year after missing the team. She won the 100 at the U.S. Olympic trials two years ago, but had the title stripped after she tested positive for marijuana. The 100 will be a fast field that includes reigning champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and her Jamaican teammate, Shericka Jackson, who has the fastest time in the world this season. DATES: Aug. 20-21, 100 meters; Aug. 23-25, 200 meters; Aug. 25-26, 4×100 relay.
MARILEIDY PAULINO
The 400 meters is wide open at the worlds with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone withdrawing from the event because of a minor knee issue. Paulino, who represents the Dominican Republic, has the second-fastest time this season behind McLaughlin-Levrone. Paulino finished runner-up to Shaunae Miller-Uibo at last year’s worlds. DATES: Aug. 20, 21, 23.
FAITH KIPYEGON
The 29-year-old Kenyan broke three different world records — mile, 1,500 and 5,000 — over a 50-day stretch this year. Kipyegon will concentrate on the 1,500 and 5,000 at the worlds, a double she might repeat a year from now at the Paris Games. DATES: Aug. 19, 20, 22, 1,500; Aug. 23, 26, 5,000.
KATIE MOON
To think, the reigning world and Olympic champion pole vaulter was nearly a gymnast instead. Moon, who is from Ohio, has the top clearance in the world this season. Competing last season at the worlds as Katie Nageotte — she got married — she won on countback over U.S. teammate Sandi Morris. DATES: Aug. 21, 23.
ANNA HALL
The fun-loving, candy-chomping American is knocking on the door of the 7,000-point plateau in the heptathlon — a mark only four women have achieved. Hall’s top score in the seven-event competition is 6,988 points, which she set in May. The world record is held by Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who accumulated 7,291 points in winning at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. DATES: Aug. 19, 20.
NOAH LYLES
At last year’s world championships, Lyles broke the long-hallowed American 200-meter record of 19.32 seconds held since 1996 by Michael Johnson. Lyles has set 19.10 as a goal, which would shatter Usain Bolt’s mark of 19.19. DATES: Aug. 19-20, 100 meters; Aug. 23-25, 200 meters; Aug. 25-26, 4×100 relay.
PAWEL FAJDEK
The Polish hammer thrower tries for his sixth straight world title. If he wins it, he would match Sergey Bubka with the most world golds in an individual event. DATES: Aug. 19, 20.
MONDO DUPLANTIS
Since first breaking the world record three years ago, the Louisiana-born pole vaulter who competes for his mother’s native Sweden, has upped the mark by a centimeter five more times. It now stands at 6.22 meters (20 feet, 4 3/4 inches). DATES: Aug. 23, 26.
FRED KERLEY
The American sprinter is the defending world champion at 100 meters. His best time this year is 9.88 seconds — pedestrian for this race — but Kerley is a favorite in an event where no one has cracked 9.8 this year. DATES: Aug. 19-20, 100 meters; Aug. 25-26, 4×100 relay.
MUTAZ ESSA BARSHIM
It might not ever get better for the high jumper nicknamed “The Falcon,” than when he won world gold in his home country of Qatar in 2019. But Barshim has won gold in the last four major competitions, including the famous tie for first with Gianmarco Tamberi at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago. DATES: Aug. 20, 22.
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