Tokyo Olympics 2021: 5 potential contenders for Usain Bolt's crown

#3 Andre De Grasse, Canada

PB: 9.9s | SB: 9.99s

26-year-old Andre De Grasse is considered by many to be the true successor to Canada's legendary Donovan Bailey. Bailey won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in 100m and sprint relay. But since then, the combined domination of the USA and Jamaica has kept Canada on the sidelines.

De Grasse, coached by the great Rana Reider, has a lot of experience. He won the 100m bronze, 200m silver and sprint relay bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He kept that momentum going during the 2019 World Championships at Doha, finishing second and third in the 200m and 100m events respectively.

Happy Birthday to Canadian sprinter and three-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse! This moment from Rio 2016 always makes us smile. 😄#StrongerTogether@De6rasse @WorldAthletics @TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/hFmn0b5HpI

— Olympics (@Olympics) November 10, 2020

Touted as one of the favorites in Tokyo, De Grasse will be hoping to put on a spectacular show and bring home the gold medal this time around.

#2 Akani Simbine, South Africa

PB: 9.84s | SB: 9.84s

If Andre De Grasse is looking to emulate 1996 champion Donovan Bailey, Akani Simbine will be hoping to become the first South African sprinter to finish in the top 3 since Reggie Walker at the 1908 London Olympics.

The South African sprinting sensation seems to be in the form of his life, having obliterated the African record just weeks before the Tokyo Olympics 2021. He clocked a personal best time of 9.84s at the Gyulai István Memorial meet in Hungary, which also vaulted him to 12th place on the all-time list.

Simbine, who finished fifth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was just 0.03s shy of a podium place and will be looking to avenge that disappointment this time around. The podium has always eluded him on the big stage but he still has his eyes firmly set on becoming the first black African 100m Olympic gold medallist.

#1 Trayvon Bromell, USA

PB: 9.77s | SB: 9.77s

Ravaged by multiple injuries, America's Trayvon Bromell's career has been a rollercoaster so far. He holds the unique distinction of being the first junior to break the 10-second barrier in 100m. Unfortunately, he tore his achilles tendon during the 4x100m relay at the Rio Olympics and had to leave the track in a wheelchair.

Redemption on the cards for Bromell

Having been anointed by Usain Bolt himself as the possible successor to his throne, Bromell would be looking for redemption in Tokyo. He has the world's leading time this year and is regarded as the odds-on favorite for the 100m title.

Bromell qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2021 after emerging victorious in the National Trials. He breezed past his fellow stateside sprinters Ronnie Baker, Fred Kerley, Noah Lyles and Justin Gatlin.

The Americans will be waiting with bated breath, hoping for the coronation of Bromell as the rightful heir to Bolt's 100m throne.