Track and field stars to watch at Tokyo 25 World Athletics Championships
These World Athletics Championships will mark the end of an era, as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce retires from the sport.
Twice the Olympic champion over the women’s 100m (and winner of a further five world titles over that distance), the 38-year-old will call time on a career that has seen her win eight Olympic and 16 World Championships medals.
After withdrawing from the semi-finals at last year’s Olympic Games, the Jamaican decided to return for one more season, and will now get to go out on her own terms.
Elsewhere, there is a question over Noah Lyles. The reigning men’s 100m and 200m champion began his season late due to injuries, and has yet to win a 100m final this season. However, the USA star has shone over his favoured 200m distance, including winning the Diamond League Final.
There is intrigue in the women’s one-lap race, as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has focussed all her attention on the flat 400m this season. The world record holder over the single-lap hurdles has the third-fastest time in the flat race this year at 48.90, behind only Olympic silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser (48.67) and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino (48.81).
And there will be lots of reigning champions and world record holders in action who will try to improve their marks further. Returning world champions include Mondo Duplantis, Femke Bol, Neeraj Chopra, Faith Kipyegon, and Yulimar Rojas.