Norway’s Karsten Warholm, the world record holder, showed his dominance in the men’s 400m hurdles heat at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for a captivating showdown against his primary rivals. Warholm, the reigning Olympic champion, effortlessly navigated the hurdles and outpaced French hopeful Clement Ducos in the closing meters, securing a convincing victory with a time of 47.57 seconds – the fastest of the day. The three-time world champion displayed remarkable control, even acknowledging he slowed down at the final hurdle, making the outcome all the more impressive.
However, the competition for gold is far from over. Tokyo silver medalist Rai Benjamin, who boasts the fastest time in the world this year, comfortably won his heat in 48.82 seconds, showcasing his resilience after his recent loss to Warholm at the Monaco Diamond League. Meanwhile, 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos, while finishing third in his heat with a time of 48.75 seconds, strategically conserved his energy, knowing the semifinals are looming on Wednesday. The close proximity of these top contenders is evident in the times recorded, with Rasmus Magi of Estonia (48.62) and American CJ Allen (48.64) finishing ahead of dos Santos.
Warholm, aware of the fierce competition, remains humble and acknowledges the tight race. “The gaps between us are very small,” he told reporters. “We have three people who can run on the 46-second level, (dos Santos, Benjamin) and me. But behind us are many athletes pushing us. It will demand a lot to get to the final.” The remaining heats saw Jamaicans Roshawn Clarke (48.17) and Malik James-King (48.21) emerge victorious, solidifying their places in the semifinals. The top three finishers from each heat, along with the three fastest runners overall, will advance to the next stage of the competition.
This intense rivalry promises an electrifying final, with the three contenders poised to push each other to their limits in their quest for Olympic glory.
