Every 4 years the top athletes from across the United States gather to duke it out and determine the best of the best. Days, weeks, months, and years of training all coming together for each athlete to compete for the Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the Olympiad.
But, it’s not just the thrill of victory that pulls them to these games. This is also the time where Americans across the nation sit glued to their televisions as our brave athletes battle it out for TOTAL WORLD DOMINATION!
And I am here for every stinking minute of it! If I’m being honest, the Olympic Trials have me all jacked up like Ricky Bobby’s kids before Grandma whipped them into shape! I particularly love to watch the Track and Field Trials. Maybe it’s because that’s about as far away from any sport I actually had any talent in as you could possibly be. Now, I did well in the shot-putt and discus throwing because those are brut strength and technique, but those runny sports were not my thing.
My High School Basketball coach did take temporary leave of her senses one year and think that because I am tall and long legged that I obviously would be excellent at hurdles. This assumption proved to be incredibly faulty. My first run we discovered that not only did I have the form, technique, and speed necessary to survive but I looked like I was jumping over the hurdle like I was going for a rebound. Let’s just say the idea was good in theory but not so much in practice.
But, I digress. One of my favorite events in the Men’s Track and Field is the 100m. This race often determines the “Fastest Man In The World” title and winners typically go on to fare well in the Olympic Games. This year’s 100m race lived up to the hype. Noah Lyles, who is now the 2x reigning World Champion, completed his race in an astonishing 9.83 seconds. 9.83 SECONDS, y’all! This man is some kind of fast. But the 2nd and 3rd place finishers were no slouches. Kenny Bednarek (9.87) and Fred Kerley (9.88) will also join him on the U.S. Olympic 100m team.
Let’s put that in perspective. According to the NFL’s statistics and the Internet the two fastest professional football players in the 2023 Football Season were rookie Xavier Worthy of the Kansas City Chiefs. He edged out Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins who held that title for 4 years prior. Those 2023 stats show that Worthy finished with a 4.21 40 and Hill at a 4.29 40. Since Yards and Meters are essentially a 1:1 ratio those add up pretty easy. That would put Worthy at a 10.53 100 yard and Hill at a 10.73 100 yard if they could sustain their short distance speed for a 2.5 times longer run. I think you see where I’m going here.
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The Women’s 100m was equally as thrilling, in my opinion. Sha’Carri Richardson is officially bound for her first Olympics after winning the women’s 100m final in 10.71 seconds to clinch her spot. Her 10.71 time is the world’s best for 2024. Joining her in Paris for this year’s games will be Melissa Jefferson who finished in 10.80 seconds and Twanisha Terry who finished at 10.89 seconds. And again I say…these ladies are FAST, y’all. I’m not even sure I can drive my car that fast at this point.
But let’s also not overlook that our fastest lady, Sha’Carri Richardson is also faster (by our previous calculation) than our second fastest professional football player. I said what I said. {Insert Hair Toss}
The amount of training, discipline, and raw talent these athletes have is absolutely a beautiful thing. For them, there is no off season. We have a few weeks before the big show so we will definitely be unpacking all things Olympics!
And let’s not forget the added jewel in the crown of the Olympic Rings…the one and only Snoop Dogg will be providing all the colorful commentary that I’m sure we won’t be able to get enough of. He even got in on the action this week with a little 200m dash. The Dogg did us proud!
@nbcolympics Snoop Dogg had to check out his speed at Hayward Field during #TrackFieldTrials24! 🔥 #parisolympics ♬ original sound – NBC Olympics & Paralympics
Trials to Watch this Week:
- The Mens and Womens Gymnastics Trials start today and I cannot wait to see the return of Simone Biles! Hopefully she has conquered the twisties and is back to reclaim her titles!
- The Paralympic Trials are in full force and available most every day
- Track and Field Trials including shot put, discus, javelin, hurdles, and so much more!
Until next week…that’s how the ball bounces.
Read more from How the Ball Bounces with Bekka in the archives at www.mysaline.com/bounces.
About the author: Bekka Wilkerson is a lifelong lover of all things sports. Raised in a super athletic household it was no surprise when she too began to love sports at a young age. It seems like from the time she could walk she had a softball bat in her hands, but her true athletic passion came from all things Basketball. That love served her well as a Bryant High School Lady Hornet and ultimately earned her a full scholarship to play at the University of Central Arkansas – among many other adventures.
These days Bekka can be found running around Saline County with her husband, Speedy, or chasing one of her grandsons. She is also the Executive Director of The EMpact One Foundation, a Saline County Nonprofit Organization that helps young people stay connected to extracurricular activities through tuition assistance and equipment provisions.
Reach out to Bekka with questions and/or ideas about things you want to see in this column at [email protected] and learn more about The EMpact One Foundation at www.empactone.org.