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Great Britain missed out on a track and field gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but there are a number of events where the Class of 2024 can right those wrongs in Paris.
Great Britain ended the Tokyo 2020 Olympics without a gold medal from track and field events in what was a poor outing at the Games.
However, there is great optimism over a change in fortunes at the Paris 2024 Games as the athletes selected came into the Games on the back of some good performances.
Team GB look certain to claim a couple of gold medals on the track and there could be much more if things go their way.
Here are some of the races and events that are likely to yield a gold medal for Great Britain in Paris.
Men’s 1,500m
World champion Josh Kerr is the biggest gold medal prospect for Team GB after proving in recent months that Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen is beatable.
Kerr stunned Ingebrigtsen at the 2023 World Championships and even though the latter has claimed that he just had a bad day in Budapest last September, the Scot can put any doubts to rest with an Olympics gold.
Kerr declared: “I’m definitely better than last year,” after storming into the semi-final on Friday and there is great hope that the Olympics bronze medallist will elevate it to gold in Paris.
Women’s 800m
After silver medals at the 2020 Olympics and 2023 World Championships, there is a feeling that this is the year for Keely Hodgkinson to deliver gold in the women’s 800m.
The European champion has backed that stance with some fantastic performances in 2024 where she is undefeated over the distance.
With Olympic champion Athing Mu of the United States not making it to Paris, Hodgkinson only has to worry about Kenya’s Mary Moraa, but she can count on her good form to give her an edge over the world champion.
Women’s 100m
Dina Asher-Smith has been on the mend and there is great hope that all will come together at the Paris Olympics.
Britain’s greatest female athlete had to relocate to the US to try and regain her form and quality and after teaming with highly rated sprint coach Edrick "Flo" Floreal, she has been showing signs of a revival.
Asher-Smith failed to qualify for the 100m final in Tokyo amid hamstring problem but there are signs of good tidings in Paris.
There is also Daryll Neita, who recorded a season’s best 10.92, to make it to the semi-final on Friday.
If the two execute a good team strategy, Britain could be on the podium not just celebrating a medal but gold.
Women’s 4x100m
Asha Philip, Imani Lansiquot, Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita combined to win bronze in the 4x100m relay for Team GB in Tokyo and also did the same at the 2023 World Championships.
Jamaica won gold in the event in Tokyo as US settled for silver before the Americans turned the tables in Budapest but there is hope of Britain winning a gold due to the fact that Jamaica will lack experience in the race.
With Elaine Thompson-Herah missing in Paris, Shericka Jackson scaling down on her events due to injury fears and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the twilight years of her career, the door could be opened for a new Olympics champion in the relay and Team GB possess great quality to square it out with the US.
Heptathlon
World champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson had injuries curtail her Olympics in Tokyo but she is now fit and ready for gold in Paris.
The 31-year-old ended any doubts about her qualities at last year’s World Championships and she has a chance to complete the set at the Olympics.
Paris is her fourth Olympics after London 2012 where she finished 12th, Rio 2016 (sixth place) and Tokyo where she did not finish due to a calf injury.
She recovered from the disappointments to claim the world title and she has shown that she is capable of doing the same at the Olympics in what would be a plus for her country.
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