EUGENE, Oregon — The U.S. Olympic track and field trials are over, and dozens of athletes are headed to France to represent America at the 2024 Paris Games.
The trials had plenty of surprises (Athing Mu tripping and finishing last in the 800 semifinal, 16-year-old Quincy Wilson making the men’s 400 final), joyful moments (McKenzie Long qualifying in the women’s 200 exactly five months after the shocking death of her mother), expected dominance (Noah Lyles in the men’s 100 and 200, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400 hurdles) and heartache (Christian Coleman, in his last realistic shot at the Olympics, finishing fourth in both his races).
In roughly three weeks, the U.S. Olympic team will hop on planes and head to Paris. Track and field at the 2024 Games is scheduled for Aug. 2-10. Dozens of Americans are expected to contend for medals. Here’s what to know about Team USA on the track.
Who is the oldest track and field Olympian?
The oldest track and field Olympian scheduled to compete at the 2024 Paris Games was marathoner Leonard Korir, who was 37 years, 204 days when he was named to the team on June 6.
But then, on June 30, Kara Winger qualified for her fifth Games at the age of 38 years, 81 days.
Neither have earned an Olympic medal. Korir did not compete at the Tokyo Games, but he finished 14th at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Winger’s best finish also came in Rio when she placed 13th.
Who is the youngest track and field Olympian?
Erriyon Knighton, who made his second Olympic team after finishing third in the men’s 200, was the youngest American track Olympian when the finals ended Sunday. Knighton was 20 years, 154 days old when he qualified in the 200, less than a year younger than 1,500-meter runner Hobbs Kessler, who was 21 years, 94 days old on June 24 when he finished third in his event.
But late Sunday 16-year-old Quincy Wilson was told he was being added to the 4×400 relay pool. In the men’s 400 final, the 16-year-old from Bullis High School in Maryland missed out on the three automatic qualifying spots when he finished in sixth, running a 44.94.
Who’s been to the most Olympics?
Kara Winger will make her fifth Olympic appearance in Paris, having qualified for every Games since 2008 in Beijing.
Winger, 38, is also the oldest track Olympian on Team USA, edging outmarathoner Leonard Korir.
Is anyone surprising missing Paris Olympics?
The most shocking result of the 2024 track and field trials involves Mu, a dominant 800 runner who is the reigning Olympic gold medalist.
In her 800 semifinal on June 24, Mu, a 22-year-old with a long, loping stride — a hazard of her 5-foot-10 frame — tripped as runners moved to the inside curve, falling all the way down. She recovered and finished the race but she was last, more than 22 seconds behind the winner, Nia Akins. Mu’s team appealed the race decision, but it was denied.
Mu is a strong contender to be named to the 4×400 relay pool.
Ryan Crouser going for Olympic record/milestone
Ryan Crouser, the best shot putter in the history of the event, is trying to become the first shot putter ever to win three consecutive gold medals.
Crouser, 31, owns 11 of the top 20 throws of all time. He won gold in Tokyo and Rio, but his best throw came May 27, 2023, when he tossed the shot 77 feet, 3 3/4 inches at the LA Grand Prix.
He is the heavy favorite going into Paris, but has had some epic back-and-forth battles over the years with U.S. teammate Joe Kovacs, who finished second at the trials with a throw of 73 feet, 7 1/4 inches.
Before the 2022 World Championships, Crouser told USA TODAY Sports that he plans to switch to discus after the Paris Games.
Home (Hayward) field advantage
Oregon track and field athletes who competed at the trials had a unique advantage in that Hayward Field is their home stadium. While all of America’s top track and field athletes compete regularly in Eugene and speak often of the “Hayward Magic” that tends to show up during big meets here, only Jaida Ross practices in this stadium regularly.
Ross, who just finished her junior year at the University of Oregon, qualified for Paris in women’s shot put, finishing third after throwing 64 feet, 3 3/4 inches. Ross won the NCAA title in early June, another meet where she got to throw in her home stadium.
College stars (probably) headed for Paris
A handful of college athletes who still have eligibility left are (likely) headed to Paris, too. They are:
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Aaliyah Butler, Georgia, women’s 400, rising junior
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Malcolm Clemons, Florida, men’s long jump, rising senior
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James Corrigan, BYU, men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, rising junior
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Jeremiah Davis, Florida State, men’s long jump, rising senior*
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Rachel Glenn, Arkansas, women’s high jump, rising junior
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Jaida Ross, Oregon, shot put, rising senior
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Jayden Ulrich, Louisville, women’s discus, rising senior
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Juliette Whittaker, Stanford, women’s 800, rising junior
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Tyus Wilson, Nebraska, high jump, rising senior*
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Parker Wolfe, UNC, men’s 5K, rising senior*
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Nico Young, Northern Arizona, men’s 10,000, rising senior
* status for Paris unknown as of July 1 because does not have Olympic standard
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US track and field team for Paris: Oldest, youngest, most Games
