Athletes from 54 countries compete in the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, which has evolved into a global talent showcase.
Global diversity is particularly noticeable in the men’s 100- and 200-metre races, as African competitors have outperformed their American counterparts, who have historically led these championships.
This change was emphasized in the preliminary rounds on Wednesday, June 5, when African sprinters dominated the competition, ushering in a new collegiate track and field era.
Africa’s sprinting wave: Orogot Shine, Abdul-Rasheed, Ajayi, and Traore
Africa is becoming more and more adept at sprinting; in the men’s 100m, Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi and Ghana’s Saminu Abdul-Rasheed won convincing heats, while in the 200m, Côte d’Ivoire’s Cheickna Traore and Uganda’s Tarsis Orogot set the quickest marks.
The continent has made headway in closing the distance with sprinting heavyweights like the United States, Great Britain, and Jamaica, as