Who Will Win in Rio?
We pick the medal winners—and tell you how to watch—24 track races at the Olympic Games.
With the Olympics coming to South America for the first time, there is no shortage of drama. There are athletes, like Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, who could extend their winning streaks to historic dimensions. Americans Ashton Eaton and Allyson Felix have the chance to solidify their status as track legends. But there's the dark side, too: Drug scandals—including a ban of most Russian runners, suspicions about Kenyans, and the arrest of Jama Aden, the high-profile coach of an Ethiopian world record holder—have no doubt tainted the running picture at the Rio Games. They have also, for now, increased the probability of a strong U.S. showing. Here are the runners we think will bring home hardware at the 2016 Summer Games—and how to watch those races. All track will be aired on NBC or NBCSN, and uninterrupted coverage will be live streamed on the Who Will Win in Rio, accessible with a cable password.
MEN’S 10,000 METERS
When: 8:25 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 13 (final).
Records
World: Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), 26:17.53 (2005)
Olympic: Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), 27:01.17 (2008)
American: Galen Rupp, 26:44.36 (2014)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 28:00
Preview
Mo Farah’s bid for a second Olympic “distance double” begins with a rematch with Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, 23, the world cross-country and half marathon champion. He was the runner-up to Farah in the 10,000 on the track at last summer’s world championships. Farah’s 26:53 victory at the Prefontaine Classic on May 27, followed later in the season by a world-leading 5,000 time, indicate he’s as sharp as he needs to be for Rio. Ethiopia’s newest star Yigrem Demelash, 22, his teammate, Tamirat Tola, 25, and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp, 30, will keep close to Farah for at least 9,900 meters.
Medal picks
Gold: Mo Farah, Great Britain
Silver: Geoffrey Kamworor, Kenya
Bronze: Kevin Young USA, 46.78 1992
WOMEN'S 10,000 METERS
When: 10:10 a.m. Eastern, Friday, August 12 (final)
TV: NBCSN, beginning 8 a.m. on August 12 (final)
Records
World: Wang Junxia (China), 29:31.78 (1993)
Olympic: Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia), 29:54.66 (2008)
American: Shalane Flanagan, 30:22.22 (2008)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 32:15
Preview
This event’s outlook changed completely when little-known Kenyan Alice Aprot, 22, ran a 30:26 in June and Ethiopia’s 5,000-meter world champion Almaz Ayana clocked the fastest 10,000 debut in history, a 30:07, four days later. London Olympic bronze medalist Vivian Cheruiyot, 32, gave birth in 2013 and won gold at the 2015 world championships. She could take bronze ahead of 2008 Olympic champ Tirunesh Dibaba, 31, of Ethiopia, who became a mother in 2015. American Molly Huddle, 31, is world-class, but getting to the podium could be a daunting task.
Medal picks
Gold: Michael Johnson, 19.32 1996
Silver: Alice Aprot, Kenya
Bronze: Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenya
MEN'S 5,000 METERS
When: 9:05 a.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (round one); 8:30 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 20 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 20 (final)
Records
World: Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), 12:37.35 (2004)
Olympic: Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), 12:57.82 (2008)
American: Bernard Lagat, 12:53.69 (2011)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 13:25
Preview
Mo Farah’s Kenyan and Ethiopian rivals are often lambasted for trying to defeat him with tactics that actually play to the Englishman’s strengths. Last year’s world championships 5,000 final included runners with PRs in the 12:40s, yet the race was pedestrian, and Farah, 33, who had the best 1500 time in the field, was the winner in 13:50. But it's beginning to look like he can win running any kind of pace, and he should secure another 5,000 Olympic gold. Behind him, Ethiopia’s young guns Muktar Edris, 22, and Hagos Gebrhiwet, 22, will battle for silver and bronze.
Medal picks
Gold: Mo Farah, Great Britain
Silver: Muktar Edris, Ethiopia
Bronze: Hagos Gebrhiwet, Ethiopia
WOMEN'S 5,000 METERS
When: 8:30 a.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (round one); 8:40 p.m. Eastern, Friday, August 19 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 19 (final)
Records
World: Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia), 14:11.15 (2008)
Olympic: Gabriela Szabo (Romania), 14:40.79 (2000)
American: Molly Huddle, 14:42.64 (2014)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 15:24
Preview
Almaz Ayana, 24, the 2015 world champion, has replaced Ethiopian legends Tirunesh Dibaba, 31, and Meseret Defar, 32, to become the world’s preeminent female distance runner on the track. In Rio, at whatever point in the race she pleases, we may see Ayana pulling away to a lopsided victory. Talented Kenyans should be fighting for the medals behind Ayana. The American contingent may shake things up, but is more likely to be ready for medal contention in 2020.
Medal picks
Gold: Michael Johnson, 19.32 1996
Silver: Hellen Obiri, Kenya
Bronze: David Rudisha Kenya, 1:40.91 2012
MEN’S 1500 METERS
When: 9:30 a.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (round one); 7:45 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, August 18 (semifinal); 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 20 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 20 (final)
Records
World: Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco), 3:26 (1988)
Olympic: Noah Ngeny (Kenya), 3:32.07 (2000)
American: Bernard Lagat, 3:29.30 (2015)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 3:36.20
Preview
Long-striding Asbel Kiprop, 27, is the dominant metric miler of his era, and if he doesn’t triumph, it will be a major Olympic upset. His rising Kenyan countryman Elijah Manangoi, 23, looks like a medalist, too. Djibouti’s star, Ayanleh Souleiman, 23, could sharpen into shape just in time for Rio, and underrated Abdalaati Iguider, 29, from Morocco is always close at the finish. Despite his indoor world title, American Matthew Centrowitz, 26, will need a near perfect final to earn a medal in Brazil. But he’s resourceful, undaunted, and a clutch performer, which means he could find a way.
Medal picks
Gold: Asbel Kiprop, Kenya
Silver: Elijah Manangoi, Kenya
Bronze: Matthew Centrowitz, United States
WOMEN’S 1500 METERS
When: 7:30 p.m. Eastern, Friday, August 12 (round one); 8:30 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, August 14 (semi); 9:30 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 16 (final)
Records
World: Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia), 3:50.07 (2015)
Olympic: Paula Ivan (Romania), 3:53.96 (1988)
American: Shannon Rowbury, 3:56.29 (2015)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 4:07
Preview
In 2015, Ethiopia’s world record holder Genzebe Dibaba, 25, ran six seconds faster than any other woman outdoors in the metric mile. But she’s had the distraction of her coach’s arrest in a drug case in Spain. Dibaba has raced sparingly in 2016, though she did run 3:59 in Barcelona on July 9. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, 22, ran two 3:56s this spring and could probably defeat Dibaba in any case. In this loaded event, Americans Shannon Rowbury, 31, and Jenny Simpson, 29, will have to get by Dawit Seyaum, 20, of Ethiopia, and Sifan Hassan, 23, of the Netherlands, to secure a medal.
Medal Picks
Gold: Faith Kipyegon, Kenya
Silver: Genzebe Dibaba, Ethiopia
Bronze: Jenny Simpson, United States
MEN’S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
When: 9:25 a.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (round one); 10:50 a.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 10 a.m. on August 17 (final)
Records
World: Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Qatar), 7:53.63 (2004)
Olympic: Julius Kariuki (Kenya), 8:05.51 (1988)
American: Evan Jager, 8:00.45 (2015)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 8:30
Preview
Conseslus Kipruto, 21, was track’s outstanding male distance runner of the spring, with four fast Diamond League victories. If he arrives in Rio without having exhausted himself, he’ll be the latest in a string of Kenyan steeplechase gold medalists. His countryman Ezekiel Kemboi, a two-time Olympic champion, is still swift enough at age 34 to join him on the podium. American Evan Jager, 27, second-fastest in the world last year, is cognizant of the pressure of high expectations, but he’s surely the runner most likely to prevent a Kenyan sweep.
Medal picks
Gold: Conseslus Kipruto, Kenya
Silver: Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya
Bronze: Evan Jager, United States
WOMEN’S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
When: 9:05 a.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (round one); 10:15 a.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 10 a.m. on August 15 (final)
Records
World: Gulnara Galkina (Russia), 8:58.81 (2008)
Olympic: Gulnara Galkina (Russia), 8:58.81 (2008)
American: Emma Coburn, 9:10.76 (2016)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 9:45
Preview
The quality of performance in this event has improved by leaps and bounds. Race times so far in 2016 are swifter than 2015’s year-end list. Newcomer Ruth Jebet, of Bahrain, 19, has dipped below 9:00, and world champion Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, 24, of Kenya is close behind. Consistency and experience with rounds make Kiyeng the favorite in Rio. Tunisia’s 2012 Olympic gold medalist Habiba Ghribi, 32, tends to make her presence felt later in the season and remains something of a mystery. Emma Coburn, 25, could grab the U.S. its first ever women’s steeplechase medal.
Medal picks
Gold: Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, Kenya
Silver: Ruth Jebet, Bahrain
Bronze: Emma Coburn, United States
MEN'S 800 METERS
When: 9:10 a.m. Eastern, Friday, August 12 (round one); 9:05 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (semifinal); 9:25 p.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 15 (final)
Records
World: David Rudisha (Kenya), 1:40.91 (2012)
Olympic: David Rudisha (Kenya), 1:40.91 (2012)
American: Johnny Gray, 1:42.60 (1985)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 1:46
Preview
We won’t see anything like the final in London in 2012, when David Rudisha set a world record of 1:40.91 and five men broke 1:43. After fragility and inconsistency the years since, the lanky Rudisha has clocked the fastest 800 of this year, a 1:43.35 in Hungary on July 19. He looks ready for a title defense. Some of Rudisha’s longtime rivals are struggling this year. But his fellow Kenyan Ferguson Rotich and young contenders Pierre Ambroise-Bosse of France, a July 22 winner in London, and Americans Boris Berian and Clayton Murphy, could challenge for medals.
Medal picks
Gold: Shericka Jackson, Jamaica
Silver: David Rudisha, Kenya
Bronze: Boris Berian, United States
WOMEN'S 800 METERS
When: 9:55 a.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (round one); 8:15 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, August 18 (semifinal); 8:15 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 20 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 20 (final)
Records
World: Jarmila Kratochvilova (Czechoslovakia), 1:53.28 (1983)
Olympic: Nadezhda Olizarenko (USSR), 1:53.43 (1980)
American: Jearl Miles-Clark, 1:56.40 (1999)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 2:01.50
Preview
The suspensions of Russians for doping seemed to open up the path to medals for Americans Ajee’ Wilson, 22, and Kate Grace, 27, in the 800. But the resurgence of South Africa’s Caster Semenya, 25, and the rise of Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, 23, paint a different picture. Semenya seems capable of triumphing by as much as she wants to, and Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba is a clear second choice. Kenyans Margaret Wambui and Eunice Sum and Canada’s Melissa Bishop should be battling for the bronze.
Medal picks
Gold: Caster Semenya, South Africa
Silver: Francine Niyonsaba, Burundi
Bronze: Running in the Cold
MEN’S 400 METERS
When: 8:05 p.m. Eastern, Friday, August 12 (round one); 7:30 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (semifinal); 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, August 14 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 7 p.m. on August 14 (final)
Records
World: Michael Johnson (USA), 43.18 (1999)
Olympic: Michael Johnson (USA), 43.49 (1996)
American: Michael Johnson, 43.18 (1999)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 45.40
Preview
LaShawn Merritt, 30, and Grenada’s Kirani James, 23, the last two Olympic 400 gold medalists, have forged one of the most compelling rivalries in world-class track; virtually all their races are achingly close. But South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, 24, emerged from obscurity and outgunned both of them at 2015’s world championships. Niekerk has already shown in 2016 that he’s no one-hit wonder. The men’s 400 features a threeway struggle for supremacy now. James may have the very slight edge, but any one of these three could win.
Medal picks
Gold: Kirani James, Grenada
Silver: LaShawn Merritt, United States,
Bronze: Wayde van Niekirk, South Africa
WOMEN'S 400 METERS
When: 10:00 a.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (round 1); 7:30 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, August 14 (semifinal); 9:45 p.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 15 (final)
Records
World: Marita Koch (East Germany), 47.60 (1985)
Olympic: Marie-Jose Perec (France), 48.25 (1996)
American: Sanya Richards, 48.70 (2006)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 52.20
Preview
Allyson Felix’s emphasis on the 400 last year paid off with a world championships gold medal in Beijing and the year’s fastest time. Those credentials, plus her persistent ability to produce in big meets, would normally suffice to make her the 400 favorite in Rio. But the very slight edge goes to Shaunae Miller, a Bahamian who ran for the University of Georgia. Miller, just 22, took home a world championships silver and has the best set of marks for 2016, including a world-leading 49.55 she ran in London on July 22. The Americans suffered a setback when University of Texas collegian Courtney Okolo, 22, failed to make the top three at the U.S. trials. Shericka Jackson, 22, of Jamaica could duplicate the bronze medal performance she recorded in Beijing.
Medal picks
Gold: Shaunae Miller, Bahamas
Silver: Shaunae Miller, Bahamas
Bronze: Nutrition - Weight Loss
MEN’S 200 METERS
When: 10:50 a.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (round one); 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (semi); 9:30 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, August 18 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 18 (final)
Records
World: Usain Bolt (Jamaica), 19.19 (2009)
Olympic: Usain Bolt (Jamaica), 19.30 (2008)
American: Michael Johnson, 19.32 (1996)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 20.50
Preview
This is Usain Bolt’s preferred and stronger event. It’s likely the Jamaican will once again eat up the curve and be well in front of his rivals at the top of the stretch. Justin Gatlin was a clear second in the 200 at last summer’s world championships and could duplicate that result in Rio. LaShawn Merritt, the 400-meter specialist, has been doubling in the 200 this year with results faster than 20 seconds. He could pull an upset or could succumb to fatigue after so many rounds. Brendon Rodney of Canada and Alonso Edward of Panama will be in the hunt, as will 2016 breakthrough talent Miguel Francis, 21, of Antigua and Barbuda and the third American, Ameer Webb.
Medal picks
Gold: Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Silver: Shaunae Miller, Bahamas
Bronze: LaShawn Merritt, United States
WOMEN’S 200 METERS
When: 8:35 a.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (round one); 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (semifinal); 9:30 p.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 10 a.m. on August 15 (round one); NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 17 (final)
Records
World: Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA), 21.34 (1988)
Olympic: Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA), 21.34 (1988)
American: Florence Griffith-Joyner, 21.34 (1988)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 23.20
Preview
Dutch athlete Dafne Schippers is the reigning world champion in the 200 and has 2016’s fastest time (21.93) and a collection of victories in international meets. Her one sign of vulnerability was a Prefontaine Classic loss to Tori Bowie, who clocked a 21.99. With defending Olympic champ Allyson Felix having qualified for the Rio Games only in the 400, this may be a two-woman race. But threats could come from Elaine Thompson, who looks like the best of the Jamaicans, and from Bahamian 400-meter star Shaunae Miller, 22, if she decides to double. And surprise U.S. team qualifier Deajah Stevens, 21, is definitely on the upswing.
Medal picks
Gold: Dafne Schippers, The Netherlands
Silver: Tori Bowie, United States
Bronze: Elaine Thompson, Jamaica
MEN’S 100 METERS
When: 8:30 a.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (prelim); 11:00 a.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (round one); 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, August 14 (semifinal); 9:25 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, August 14 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 7 p.m. on August 14 (final)
Records
World: Usain Bolt (Jamaica), 9.58 (2009)
Olympic: Usain Bolt (Jamaica), 9.63 (2012)
American: Tyson Gay, 9.69 (2009)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 10.16
Preview
He may race less frequently and not quite as swiftly as in the recent past, but the quest by Usain Bolt, 29, to become the first three-time men’s Olympic 100-meter gold medalist will rise or fall largely on his prowess as a clutch performer. Questions arose in June about a hamstring injury, but friend and foe both expect him to be ready for Rio. Justin Gatlin, 34, might again keep the outcome in doubt until the 95-meter mark. But he’s more likely to be beaten by young American Trayvon Bromell, 21, or by Canada’s Andre De Grasse, 21, than he is to end Bolt’s golden era.
Medal picks
Gold: Usain Bolt, Jamaica
Silver: Shaunae Miller, Bahamas
Bronze: Trayvon Bromell, United States
WOMEN’S 100 METERS
When: 10:55 a.m. Eastern, Friday, August 12 (prelim); 9:40 p.m. Eastern, Friday, August 12 (round one); 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (semifinal); 9:35 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, August 13 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 13 (semi and final)
Records
World: Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA), 10.49 (1988)
Olympic: Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA), 10.62 (1988)
American: Florence Griffith-Joyner, 10.49 (1988)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 11.32
Preview
Like her countryman Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 29, is trying to make history with a third straight gold medal in the 100. But early 2016 results suggest she may have lost a step due to a lingering injury. Meanwhile, Americans Tori Bowie, 25, and English Gardner, 24, have verified themselves as world-class. The Jamaican to fear may be Elaine Thompson, 24, who edged Gardner in Rome in June. But in a field that also includes Murielle Ahouré, 28, of the Ivory Coast and Dafne Schippers, 24, of the Netherlands, the U.S. has reason to dream of multiple medals.
Medal picks
Gold: English Gardner, United States
Silver: Tori Bowie, United States
Bronze: Kerron Clement, United States
MEN'S 400-METER HURDLES
When: 10:35 a.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (round one); 8:35 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (semifinal); 11:00 a.m. Eastern, Thursday, August 18 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 10 a.m. on August 15 (round one); NBC, beginning 10 a.m. on August 18 (final)
Records
World: Kevin Young (USA), 46.78 (1992)
Olympic: Kevin Young (USA), 46.78 (1992)
American: Kevin Young, 46.78 (1992)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 49.40
Preview
Johnny Dutch, 27, has had puzzling misfortune in this event. The fastest 400 hurdler of the year, he led most of the U.S. trials final before he clipped the final hurdle and faded out of the top three. But the resurgence of Kerron Clement, 30, a world champ back in 2007 and 2009, gives the U.S. a virtual co-favorite in Rio. Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson, 32, has solid marks that might give him the edge over Clement. Rising Turkish star Yasmani Copello, 29, South Africa’s L.J. van Zyl, 31, and American veteran Michael Tinsley, 32, are also medal contenders.
Medal picks
Gold: Kerron Clement, United States
Silver: Javier Culson, Puerto Rico
Bronze: Yasmani Copello, Turkey
WOMEN'S 400-METER HURDLES
When: 8:30 p.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (round one); 8:10 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (semi); 9:15 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, August 18 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 18 (final)
Records
World: Yuliya Pechenkina (Russia), 52.34 (2003)
Olympic: Melaine Walker (Jamaica), 52.64 (2008)
American: Lashinda Demus, 52.47 (2011)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 56.20
Preview
One of the huge shocks of the U.S. trials came when bespectacled Texas A&M student Shamier Little, 21, this event’s top star for the first half of 2016, failed to finish in the top three. The good news is Dalilah Muhammad’s 52.88 trials triumph and her July 22 Diamond League win in London prove the United States could still take gold in this event. Things have changed quickly; Muhammad, 26, is now one of the more solid picks in Rio. Janieve Russell, 22, of Jamaica may be the best of the rest, while Eilidh Doyle, 29, of Great Britain, Sara Petersen, 29, of Denmark, and U.S. teen sensation Sydney McLaughlin, 16, battle for the last medal.
Medal picks
Gold: Dalilah Muhammad, United States
Silver: Janieve Russell, Jamaica
Bronze: Eilidh Doyle, Great Britain
MEN'S 110-METER HURDLES
When: 7:40 p.m. Eastern, Monday, August 15 (round one); 7:40 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (semi); 9:45 p.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 16 (final)
Records
World: Aries Merritt (USA), 12.80 (2012)
Olympic: Xiang Liu (China), 12.91 (2004)
American: Aries Merritt, 12.80 (2012)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 13.47
Preview
The U.S. Olympic Trials saw the triumphant return of Devon Allen, 22, a football star who’d been the 2014 NCAA and USATF champion. It also saw the failure of veteran David Oliver, 34, and reigning Olympic gold medalist Aries Merritt, 31, to qualify for Rio. Allen is a speedster who could possibly get gold here. But Jamaica’s Omar McLeod, 22, has the strongest set of marks in 2016 and has to be considered the favorite. This is an event where upsets at the top ranks are quite common, and Spain’s Orlando Ortega, 25, could get to the finish first.
Medal picks
Gold: Best Running Shoes 2025
Silver: Devon Allen, United States
Bronze: Orlando Ortega, Spain
WOMEN’S 100-METER HURDLES
When: 10:05 a.m. Eastern, Tuesday, August 16 (round one); 7:45 p.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (semi); 9:55 p.m. Eastern, Wednesday, August 17 (final)
TV: NBC, beginning 8 p.m. on August 17 (final)
Records
World: Yordanka Donkova (Bulgaria), 12.21 (1988)
Olympic: Sally Pearson (Australia), 12.35 (2012)
American: Keni Harrison, 12.24 (2013)
Olympic Qualifying Time: 13.00
Preview
We thought early on that an American sweep of the medals was possible in the high hurdles. We’ll still say that, even though Kendra Harrison, who set an new U.S. record of 12.24 in May and then established a new world record of 12.20 on July 22, had the one blip on her 2016 résumé: At the Olympic Trials, she finished sixth and didn’t make the team. Trials winner Brianna Rollins, the 2013 world champion, is the new favorite. Germany’s Cindy Roleder and Jamaica’s 2015 world champ Danielle Williams surely have other ideas, but the year’s list of best times belongs entirely to the Americans, and Kristi Castlin and Nia Ali can still supply a U.S. sweep.
Medal picks
Gold: Brianna Rollins, United States
Silver: The NCAA Runner-Up Finished 2ndWith One Shoe
Bronze: Nia Ali, United States
Watch Next
Pro Runners Ask: Is My Agent Worth the Fee?
Are Average Runners Getting Faster? It Depends
2024 Foot Locker XC Results
Australian Sprinter, 16, Runs Record-Breaking 200m
