Looking ahead to 2024, with just 200 days left, many athletes are focusing on their journey to Paris to excel in the key Olympic sport during the August Games. Alongside this primary goal, there are several other targets, including participation in five World Athletics Series events and involvement in the ever-expanding one-day meeting circuits.
At the World Athletics Awards, three notable figures in our sport shared their aspirations for the upcoming year, encompassing endeavors both within and beyond the track and field arena.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon looks ahead to Paris 2024 with excitement, eager to see what unfolds when she steps onto the track. Having secured two Olympic 1500m titles and four world titles in the 1500m and 5000m, she anticipates the Olympic experience, aiming to savor the journey and discover the outcome.
In 2023, Faith Kipyegon not only clinched gold medals in the 1500m and 5000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest but also set three world records in the 1500m, mile, and 5000m. Recognizing the significant impact of these remarkable achievements, she aims to continue inspiring the upcoming generation in 2024.
Beyond her athletic endeavors and after the Olympics, Kipyegon expresses her aspiration to motivate and inspire numerous individuals, particularly young girls in her home country, across Africa, and globally. Serving as a source of motivation, she hopes to witness them showcasing their talents, following her path, and having access to positive role models.
Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, is straightforward about his track-related goals for the present year.
“For 2024, I’m setting my sights on winning three gold medals at the Olympics and breaking a world record,” announces Lyles.”
Track superstar Noah Lyles envisioned 2023 as a blueprint for 2024, learning what it takes to win three gold medals at the year’s biggest track and field event.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 5, 2024
He would establish his place as the fastest man on the planet, and after achieving every goal of the past year, he… pic.twitter.com/qZLfmYHDwA
When queried about specific time targets, he envisions achieving a time of 19.10 seconds for the 200m and expresses a desire to clock an impressive 9.4 seconds for the 100m. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Lyles is passionate about his docuseries and advancing the cause of athletics. Concerning his non-competitive objectives, he mentions, “I aspire to expand my docuseries to approximately four episodes, compared to two this year.”
Illustrating his broader vision, Lyles imagines track meets that feature athletes from diverse sports and even celebrities. He anticipates witnessing the realization of his personal goals for the year, emphasizing a plan in its early stages with hopes for noticeable growth. Lyles also expresses a wish for increased attendance at track meets, believing that with enhanced visibility, they can be more effectively organized and strategically aligned with track meets in major cities across the United States.
Mondo Duplantis emphasizes his concentration on the indoor season and the impending World Indoor Championships, considering it the next significant event on his agenda. Renowned for establishing seven world pole vault records, the Swedish athlete secured the world indoor title in Belgrade in 2022.
Come March, he plans to uphold his title in Glasgow, returning to the Scottish city where he marked the second of his world records in 2020.
Duplantis adds, “My goal is to win every competition I participate in, strive to achieve the highest jumps possible, and continuously push my limits.” His latest world record of 6.23m was set during the Wanda Diamond League Final in Eugene in September. Despite the significance of the Olympics, his current focus is primarily on indoor competitions. He emphasizes the importance of taking things one step at a time.
Regarding his aspirations beyond athletics, the Olympic and world champion expresses a desire to enjoy life. He has already found joy in the journey and all its facets. Maintaining a healthy life balance is crucial to him.
Duplantis emphasizes his ability to separate personal life from his athletic career, believing that this mental balance has been instrumental in his success. He values spending time with family and engaging in extracurricular activities like golf to divert his mind from track-related stressors.
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