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The 2024 track and field season saw some stunning performances from athletes all over the globe. With the Paris Olympics as the center of attention, fans were treated to some exciting action throughout the year.
While some events saw underdogs pull off unexpected upsets, other events saw athletes further their domination with record-breaking performances. With that, here are track and field's brightest stars from the 2024 season.
#10. Cole Hocker
Cole Hocker had a spectacular 2024 season as the underdog. Going into the 1500m finals at the Paris Olympics, the discussions for gold were centered around Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigstein. However, a tenacious Hocker outdid the two favorites to claim the Olympic crown. His year also saw him win the Portland Track Festival, and finish third at the Brussels Diamond League Final.
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#9. Ryan Crouser
Ryan Crouser has already established himself as one of the best shot put athletes the world has ever seen, and his 2024 season just solidified his legacy further. The American went into the 2024 Games as the two-time defending champion and claimed his third consecutive gold medal with a mark of 22.90m. Outside of his Olympic exploits, the 31-year-old was also crowned World Indoor Champion in March.
#8. Tara Davis-Woodhall
Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall was a dominant force in 2024. The American began her season competing indoors, winning the Razorback Invitational, the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, the USA Indoor Championships and the Glasgow World Indoor Championships. She followed this up with an equally phenomenal outdoor season, going undefeated the entire year to win her maiden gold at the Paris Olympics.
#7. Sha'Carri Richardson
Sha'Carri Richardson’s 2024 left something to be desired, but the American had an impressive year nonetheless. She made her Olympic debut at the 2024 Games and settled for silver in the 100m, a race where she was the favorite to win. She followed this up by anchoring Team USA to a gold medal finish in the 4x100m relay. Richardson's year also saw her win the 100m events at the Prefontaine Classic and the Zurich Diamond League.
#6. Grant Holloway
In 2021, Grant Holloway entered the Tokyo Olympics as the reigning World Champion and a favorite for the gold. However, the American had been forced to settle for silver. This time, Holloway entered the Olympics as an overwhelming favorite for the win yet again, and he delivered, clinching the 110m hurdles crown in 12.99s. In 2024, Holloway also won 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships.
#5. Noah Lyles
Noah Lyles was one of the biggest track and field stars in 2023, winning the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m gold at the Budapest World Championships. Keeping that momentum going, Lyles clinched the 100m gold at the Paris Olympics, setting a new personal best of 9.79. He followed this up with a bronze medal finish in the 200m, his specialty event.
#4. Julien Alfred
Julien Alfred was undoubtedly one of the biggest breakthrough stars of the 2024 track and field season. The Saint Lucian began her year by clinching the 60m gold at the World Indoor Championships, marking a first for her country. She then went on to be crowned Olympic champion in the 100m and won the silver in the 200m, making her the first Saint Lucian Olympic medalist. Her season also saw the 23-year-old win the Brussels Diamond League Final.
#3. Mondo Duplantis
Mondo Duplantis has established himself as one of the best pole vaulters to have graced the sport, and his 2024 season was just further proof of this. Not only did the Swede successfully defend his Olympic title, he did so in style, breaking his world record in the finals. After the Games, Duplantis broke the record yet again, clearing a height of 6.26m at the Silesia Diamond League.
#2. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
After sitting out a majority of the 2023 season due to an injury, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made a roaring comeback to the track in 2024. The American’s first big performance of the year came at the US Olympic Trials, where she outdid her world record with a time of 50.65s. A little over a month later, McLaughlin-Levrone successfully defended her 400m hurdles Olympic title, setting a new world record of 50.37s en route to gold. Her Olympic exploits also saw her win the 4x400m gold.
#1. Gabby Thomas
Gabby Thomas was the most successful track and field athlete at the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old began her campaign with a gold medal finish in the 200m sprint. From there, she went on to help Team USA clinch the 4x100m and 4x400m crowns. Thomas' year also saw her set a world lead of 21.78s in the 200m.
