Packed with power and talent, the difference between a gold and silver medal between these athletes is expected to be the thinnest of margins. The crowds can only watch and wait in anticipation and excitement to see how these events turn out.
100M – LYLES VS. THOMPSON
The existing track rivalry between the United States of America and Jamaica is heightened by their two respective athletes, Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson, who run the 100m. The latter has the current world lead at 9.77, quicker than Lyles has ever run. This brings us to the question; can he go faster at the Paris Olympics and take the gold that Lyles is after? This is a notable feat because Thompson has never run at an Olympics due to a constant shin injury.
If Thompson wins gold, this will be the first gold medal for Jamaica since the phenomenon, Usain Bolt. However, Lyles achieved his personal best at his final meet before the Olympics, running a timing of 9.81 seconds; not far off from Thompson. This puts them head-to-head at the 100m this Olympics and this race is one that the crowds are heavily anticipating, especially since the two athletes are also competing for the pride of their countries.
(Men’s 100M finals – 1:20am – 5th August)
HIGH JUMP – TAMBERI VS. BARSHAM
In the event of High Jump, history was made in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as the Italian athlete Gianmarco Tamberi and the Qatar athlete Mutaz Essa Barsham, opted to share the gold medal. At the final round of the event, both athletes failed to jump 2.37 meters and had cleared their previous jumps equally; their only option was to keep jumping, despite their exhaustion, until one could make it successfully over the pole. In an utterly heartwarming moment, both athletes celebrated the achievement of sharing the gold and proudly shared the podium.
Both athletes have drawn the world rankings in 2023, and are both predicted to win gold. In the Paris Olympics of 2024, the audience awaits eagerly to see if there may be one sole winner of the gold medal this time round. Simply one jump may be the difference between the two athletes for gold and silver.
(Men’s High Jump Finals – 10:30pm – August 10th)
JAVELIN THROW – CHOPRA VS. NADEEM
Neeraj Chopra is the reigning gold medalist for India, the first track and field athlete to win this medal for his country at the Olympics (Tokyo 2020). He looks to defend his title in the javelin throw event in this year’s the Paris Olympics too. However, this year, he must face the stiff competition of Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, as they compete to be the best javelin thrower not only in South Asia, but in the world.
In 2023, Chopra beat Nadeem to win the gold at the World Athletics Championships. However, the latter has hit the 90m mark, seen at the World Athletics Championships in 2022. Chopra’s personal best is 89.94 meters, indicating that at the Paris Olympics, both these men will be battling it out for gold, and a meter could make all the difference. 
(Men’s Javelin Throw Final – 11:55pm – August 8th )
MARATHON – BEKELE VS. KIPCHOGE
Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele first raced against Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge in the 5000m, back in 2003. Decades later, they are both considered ‘legends’ of this event, and find themselves competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a testament to their strength and dedication to the sport. The last time the athletes competed against each other was at the 2018 London Marathon, and Bekele has not competed in the Olympics for 12 years.
Bekele earned his spot in the Paris Olympics by finishing second place in the London Marathon held in April this year, asserting his dominance and his preparation for the Paris Olympics. He has also already won 3 Olympic golds in the 5000m and 10,000m, whereas Kipchoge has won two Olympic Marathon golds, aiming for his third. Thus, this match-up will definitely lead to an exciting race.
(Men’s Marathon Finals – 11:30am – August 10th)
1500m- KERR VS INGEBRIGTSEN
Great Britain’s World Champion, Josh Kerr, will face the Norwegian Olympic champion, Jakob Ingebrigsten, at the Paris Olympics 2024. These two athletes have competed against each other time and time again; even though Kerr was the bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, he beat Ingebrigtsen in the World Final in 2023.
Kerr also won the Diamond League as they competed in the mile, breaking the British record of 39 years (established by Steve Cram). However, Ingebrigsten has broken the European record and claimed gold this season too. Thus, this Olympics, their fierce rivalry will be renewed as they are both keen on being the Olympic champion. 
(Men’s 1500m Final – 00:40am – 5th August)
The track and field at the 2024 Olympics will commence from August 1st, Live from the State de France, and broadcasted Live on ThePapare TV (Dialog TV Channel 63 & 126), Dialog ViU App and ThePapare.com. These races will be ones you definitely do not want to miss!
