Women’s pole vault, men’s 400, men’s discus and men’s steeplechase takes center stage with finals tonight

Athletics
Tielman Van Lill
History beckons at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France for several power houses on the track and field athletics program this evening, where glory awaits the gold medal winners and supporting acts with silver and bronze on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Women's Pole Vault Final (August 7)
Olympic record (5.05 metre) Yelena Isinbayeva, Russian Federation (Beijing, 18 August 2008) and world record (5.06m) Zürich (8 August 2009).
2020 Olympic champion: Katie Moon (USA, 4.90m). 2023 World champions: Nina Kennedy (AUS) and Katie Moon (USA) 4.90m. 2024 World leader: Molly Caudery (Britain, 4.92m).
Top contenders
Kennedy (4.88 in 2024), Angelica Moser (Switzerland, 4.88 in 24), Moon (4.85 in 24), Eliza McCartney (New Zealand, 4.84 in 24), Alysha Newman (Canada, 4.83 in 24).

Men's 400m Final (August 7)
Olympic and World record (43.03 seconds) Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa, Rio de Janeiro 2016).
2020 Olympic champion (43.85) Steven Gardiner (Bahamas). 2023 World champion (44.22) Antonio Watson (Jamaica). 2024 World leader (43.80) Quincy Hall (USA).
Top contenders
Matthew Hudson-Smith (Britain, 43.74 in 24), Quincy Hall (USA), Christopher Morales-Williams (Canada, 44.05 in 24), Michael Norman (USA, 44.10 in 24), Alexander Doom (Belgium, 44.15 in 24).

Men's Discus Throw Final (August 7)
Olympic record (69.89 metre) Virgilijus Alekna (Lithuania, 2004). World record (74.35) Mykolas Alekna (Lithuania, 2024).
2020 Olympic champion (68.90) and 2023 world champion (71.46) Daniel Ståhl (Sweden). 2024 World leader (74.35) Mykolas Alekna.
Top contenders
Mykolas Alekna, Alex Rose (Samoa, 71.48 in 24), Kristjan Ceh (Slovenia, 70.48 in 24), Ralford Mullings (Jamaica, 69.67 in 24), Matthew Denny (Australia, 69.35 in 24), Clemens Prüfer (Germany, 69.09 in 24).

Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final (August 7)
Olympic record (8 minutes 03.28 seconds) Conseslus Kipruto (Kenya, 2016). World record (7:52.11) Lamecha Girma (Ethiopia, 2023).
2020 Olympic champion (8:08.90) and 2023 World champion (8:03.53) Soufiane El Bakkali (Morocco). 2024 World leader (8:01.63 in 24) Lamecha Girma.
Top contenders
Girma, Abrham Sime (Ethiopia, 8:02.36 in 24), Amos Serem (Kenya, 8:02.36 in 24), Samuel Firewu (Ethiopia, 8:05.78 in 24), Abraham Kibiwot (Kenya, 8:06.70 in 24), Soufiane El Bakkali (8:09.40 in 24).

The athletics program for today
07:30 Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay.
10:05 Men's High Jump Qualification.
10:15 Women's 100m Hurdles round 1.
10:25 Women's Javelin Throw Qualification Group A.
11:10 Men's 5000m round 1.
11:50 Women's Javelin Throw Qualification Group B.
11:55 Men's 800m round 1.
12:45 Women's 1500m Repechage rounds.
19:00 Women's Pole Vault Final.
19:05 Men's 110m Hurdles Semi-Finals.
19:15 Men's Triple Jump Qualification.
19:35 Men's 400m Hurdles Semi-Finals.
20:02 Men's 200m Semi-Finals.
20:25 Men's Discus Throw Final.
20:45 Women's 400m Semi-Finals.
21:20 Men's 400m Final.
21:43 Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final.
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