The US Olympic Trials are right around the corner, just a month and a half out at this point. The 2021 USATF Golden Games are the next step many athletes are taking to prepare for the Trials. There should be some great competition at the meet along with some fast times and big marks.
The men’s 100m race has a lot of eyes focused on it. The other day it was announced that DK Metcalf is running the 100 at the Golden Games. Considered one of the fastest players in the NFL, Metcalf is going to test the track speed vs football speed argument. Former Olympian Michael Rodgers will be competing in the 100m as well. 8x NCAA All-American, Bryce Robinson will make an appearance as well.
Here’s Metcalf running the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
4.33 40-yard dash.
27 bench press reps (225 pounds).
40.5″ vertical jump.
11’2″ broad jump.Every scout’s face after D.K. Metcalf’s workout: ? @dkm14
?: 2020 #NFLCombine starts February 27 on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/WEqSONPXJ4
— NFL (@NFL) February 19, 2020
On the men’s side, the big names in the short sprints are lined up for the 200m. This race will include Noah Lyles and brother Josephus, high school pro Erriyon Knight. Knight is coming off a 9.99-second performance in the 100m. The Lyles brothers should be favored in this one.
Donovan Brazier will make his appearance in the 800m where he will line up against rival, Bryce Hoppel once again. Clayton Murphy will also run the half-mile, Murphy has been quiet in recent years, but is usually good for a gusty performance. To finish out the talented field, Erik Sowinski and Carlos Villarreal will line up and add to the talent pool.
The 1500m and 3000m steeplechase feature fan favorites and Olympic hopefuls. Johnny Gregorek, Ollie Hoare, and Justyn Knight highlight the metric mile. Gregorek is hoping to be running this event in Tokyo later this year. His teammate just won the 1500m at the Kansas City Qualifier. The steeplechase will have American GOAT, Evan Jaegar going against Anthony Rotich. This should be a great race between the two.
Ben Flanagan, Mason Ferlic, and Lawi Lalang will be featured in the 5000m.
The women’s side of the meet is just as packed with talent. The 100m is going to be hotly contested. Tianna Bartoletta will toe the line along with English Gardner, Jenna Prandini, and Biana Williams. Each of these women will try to take down the world-leading, #6 all-time Sha’Carri Richardson. Richardson’s 10.72 earlier in the season took the track world by storm. Will she reproduce her historic performance?
???
21-year-old Sha’Carri Richardson became the 6?th fastest woman in history after clocking 10.72 seconds in the 100m over the weekend.@itskerrii (?? @usatf) // @OnHerTurf pic.twitter.com/5uGRu9tbh3
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) April 12, 2021
The women’s 200m is a battle between an American up-and-comer against an Olympic veteran. Candace Hill takes on Allyson Felix, but this isn’t a two-woman race. The Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Olympic 400m gold medalist, will be vying for the win. This race captures the longevity of Felix along with prime Miller-Uibo and the young talent of Hill. Should be a great one to watch.
The 800m is absolutely stacked on the women’s side. Ellie Baker along with Laura Muir are coming from Great Britain to win the half-mile. They will have to face a talented field that includes Olivia Baker, Kaela Edwards, Alexa Efraimson, Kate Grace, Brenda Martinez, and more. The field is going to be talented and it will be interesting to see how the event plays out. Plenty of women capable of running sub-2:00.
Kim Conley will be in the women’s 1500m. Nikki Hiltz will also be toeing the line as they attempt to top their USATF Grand Prix performance. Helen Schlachtenhaufen finished second in the 1500m at the Grand Prix and should be considered a favorite to take the win in this one.
For fans of the women’s steeplechase, Courtney Frerichs will headline the field. The American record holder will attempt to put down a strong performance ahead of this summer. She should be a favorite to return to the Olympics, she finished 11th in the 3000m steeplechase in 2016. Molly Huddle highlights the 5000m.
The women’s 100m hurdles may be the best race of the day. Christina Clemons, Dawn Harper-Nelson, world record holder Kendra Harrison, Queen Harrison, and Sydney McLaughlin will all line up in this race, plus some. The final should be over in less than 13.00 seconds, so make sure you pay close attention.
A full entries list can be found here.
