Happy Friday! This is the third edition of Track Snacks – a mini series taking you into the weekend where Chris Chavez and a fellow CITIUS MAG staffer share the story of an athlete who they're excited about right now that you can expect to see compete at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 (July 15–24, 2022).
In this episode, we're actually joined by the actual athlete. Marcell Jacobs is the reigning Olympic champion in the 100m, the reigning 60m world indoor champion and the European record holder in the men's 100 meters. Jacobs was one of the biggest surprises of the Tokyo Olympics when he ran the race of his life to become the first Olympic champion not named Usain Bolt since 2008. He proved it was no fluke by winning the World Indoor Championships in the 60m in a long-awaited clash against 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman. The fans are in for a real treat because they won't have to wait until July to see them go head-to-head again. This week. Prefontaine Classic race organizers announced Jacobs, Coleman, Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley, Olympic bronze medalist Andre De Grasse, Noah Lyles, Marvin Bracy, Kenndy Bendarek and Ronnie Baker would be part of the deepest 100m race in history. It's the appetizer before the main course at Worlds.
Track Snacks is presented by Hayward Magic. Everyone knows how much all of us in the CITIUS MAG family love track & field, and how much we enjoy sharing that love with you all. Well, we’ve got a few big love-sharing ideas in the works and it all takes place in Eugene, Oregon this summer. Hayward Field will be the home to the Prefontaine Classic, the USATF Outdoor Championships and the World Athletics Championships. We'll be there and you should be too. Visit https://citiusmag.com/summerofhayward/ for all the information on dates and tickets.
Track Snacks is sponsored by @HaywardMagic, the Instagram home for the true track & field diehards, dreamers and fans. Sharing the magic of the sport and elevating the athletes that push it forward. Follow them on Instagram @HaywardMagic.
Intro music: "Believe In Yourself" by Norm Cotone
Usain Bolt is a retired Jamaican sprinter widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time. He is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, holding world records in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4 × 100 meters relay. Bolt is celebrated for his charismatic personality and his lightning-fast performances, which have revolutionized the sport of track and field.
Andre De Grasse is a Canadian sprinter known for his exceptional speed in the 100 meters and 200 meters events. He gained international prominence with his performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he earned a silver medal in the 200 meters and bronze medals in the 100 meters and 4x100 meters relay. De Grasse continued his success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, winning gold in the 200 meters, bronze in the 100 meters, and bronze in the 4x100 meters relay, solidifying his status as one of the top sprinters globally.
Noah Lyles is an American sprinter born on July 18, 1997, known for his exceptional speed and versatility across multiple track events. With personal bests that include a stunning 9.79 seconds in the 100 metres and 19.31 seconds in the 200 metres, Lyles is regarded as one of the top sprinters in the world, earning recognition in both individual and relay competitions.
Ronnie Baker is a prominent American sprinter specializing in the 100 meters and 60 meters. Known for his explosive starts and impressive speed, Baker has competed at the highest levels, including the World Championships and Olympics. He has consistently been a top contender in national and international competitions, with personal bests that place him among the fastest sprinters in history.
Fred Kerley is an American sprinter who competes in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events. He gained prominence with his unique versatility across sprint distances and has achieved significant success on the global stage, including winning medals in major championships such as the Olympics and World Athletics Championships.