Coleman chasing double sprint glory in Paris

Reigning World Indoor 60 metres champion Christian Coleman will be hoping to write his name in the record books as he takes aim at the 100m and 200m sprint double at the Paris Olympic Games. Coleman made the announcement while speaking at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational press conference yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Coleman has been enjoying a stellar 2024 season. The American claimed the world indoor 60m title in a time of 6.41 seconds, ahead of countryman and rival Noah Lyles in 6.44. Jamaica’s Akeem Blake took bronze in 6.46.

With the world indoor title already in the bag, Coleman has signalled his intention to challenge for the men’s 100m and 200m Olympic titles later this year. He said it will take ‘something incredible’ to achieve the sprint double but believes he is capable of doing just that.

“I think right now, there are a lot of good competitors and a lot of good athletes in the USA, so it’s going to take something incredible to be able to make that team, but I feel I am just as capable as anybody,” he said. “The first step is just giving yourself the chance to even have that opportunity and just making the team,so all my energy and all my focus is heading in that direction. I feel confident about making those finals at the Olympic Trials and just being ready for those moments.”

Coleman said for now, his preparations are about ensuring that he is ready mentally and physically in the lead-up to the Olympic Games. He pointed to the success of his long-serving partnership with coach Tim Hall as a confidence boost ahead of the Olympics.

With his next race set for the Jamaica Athletics Invitational tomorrow at the National Stadium, Coleman said his focus will be on constant improvement from his previous races.

“The Olympics only comes around every four years, and that’s what the sport is about. I’ve been with my coach, and this is our tenth season together. I graduated high school in 2014, and that is when I immediately got with him - when I left school. He obviously has my best interest at heart, and I know he is going to have me ready and have me prepared.

“I think the focus for me is just doing what I know is going to improve myself mentally and physically. It’s about not getting too far ahead of myself or focusing on the bigger picture too much. I just need to take it day by day and being patient with myself and letting it come to me,” Coleman said.