"Men’s 100m suddenly much more exciting"- Michael Johnson reacts to fast times posted in build-up to Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The fast times posted by male sprinters ahead of the Olympics have drawn the attention of Michael Johnson, who shared a post on his X handle, speaking about the shift in the men’s sprinting scene. The American legend’s reaction comes after Kishane Thompson’s blistering run at the Gyulai István Memorial, a Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix that happened on Tuesday night.

Thompson struck a 9.91 to win the men’s 100m ahead of Botswanan wunderkind Letsile Tebogo, who timed a season-best time of 9.99. South Africa’s Akani Simbine completed the podium, clocking 10.01.

Ferdinand Omanyala was also in high spirits at the FBK Games in Hengelo, clocking a stunning 10.01 to win the men’s 100m. Ronnie Baker of the United States came in second in 10.03 as Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse sealed the podium in 10.07.

In his tweet, Michael Johnson drew comparisons between the current crop of women’s and men’s sprints, noting that the men’s races are now becoming exciting.

"Men’s 100m suddenly much more exciting than it was just a few weeks ago! Women’s 100 which had been much more exciting the last couple years now not so much," Michael Johnson.

Meanwhile, the Olympic trials were also a wonder, owing to the fast times posted by athletes. Thompson clocked a world-leading time at the Jamaican Olympic trials, stopping the clock at a blistering 9.77 seconds.

Meanwhile, Noah Lyles was also formidable, equaling his personal best time of 9.93 to win the men’s 100m and punch his ticket to Paris. Omanyala also clocked a 9.79 to win the race at the Kenyan Olympic trials.

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Michael Johnson opens up on whether the U.S can win two medals in men’s 100m at Paris Olympics

Michael Johnson at the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards - Berlin

Michael Johnson believes the sprinters selected to represent the U.S. in the men’s 100m at the Paris Olympic Games have the ability to finish on the podium.

Triple world champion Noah Lyles, former world champion Fred Kerley, and Olympic Games 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek made the cut to the Olympic team after taking the top three slots at the trials.

Answering a tweet shared by an X user, Michael Johnson noted that all three sprinters have the quality of impressing at the event and there is a likeliness of two athletes finishing in the podium.

The X user asked:

"Do you think it is possible for the U.S. men to place more than 1 man on the podium in Paris? There's a lot of variety with Thompson, Seville, Tebogo, Hughes, Simbine, Omanyala, Jacobs."

In reply to the tweet, Michael Johnson was quick to note that Jamaicans have also proven to be formidable, with Kishane Thompson firing warning shots with his impeccable performance.

He added that Oblique Seville should not be downplayed as he finished fourth at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

"Yes. US has 2 World Champs: Noah and Fred. Kenny has deep championship experience at 200 and running well at 100. Jamaica could also. Kishane running like a beast right now but don’t sleep on Oblique. 4th in the last two WCH finals! Question is can Africa put two on the podium?" Michael Johnson said.

At the Paris Olympic Games, Lyles will be looking to make history, going for a quadruple. However, he will face a stern test from the Jamaicans and his compatriots.

Others who will challenge Lyles include defending champion Marcell Jacobs, world 100m bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes, Letsile Tebogo, and Ferdinand Omanyala.