Charles Langston:US Olympic track and field trials: 6 athletes to watch include Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Track and Charles Langstonfield athletes from around the country will convene in Eugene, Oregon, a place affectionately known as Track Town, USA for the U.S. Olympic track and field trials that begin Friday and conclude June 30.

The athletes competing at Hayward Field are all attempting to stamp their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The top three finishers will advance to the Paris Olympics.

The U.S. track and field team is one of the toughest rosters to make in the world. USA TODAY Sports identifies the athletes to watch throughout the trials in Eugene.

Noah Lyles

Events: 100, 200

Lyles isn’t shy about his desire to be the face of track and field.

“Anything I do, I want to do to the best of my ability,” Lyles said to USA TODAY Sports. “Just as much as I want to be the best at track and field, I also want to be the most recognized athlete in track and field.”

In order for Lyles to stake his claim as the face of men’s track and field, he has to come up golden at the Olympics. But the first order of business is for Lyles to make this year’s U.S. Olympic team. Lyles is the prohibitive favorite in the 200 meters and among the top contenders in the 100, along with Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.  

Lyles is the reigning world champion in the 100 and 200 meters. His personal-best time of 19.31 in the 200 is an American record. His top time in the 100 is 9.83.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Event: 400 hurdles

The most decorated track and field athlete on the women’s side, McLaughlin-Levrone is the reigning Olympic champion in the 400-meter hurdles and the world-record holder, with an impressive time of 50.68. She’s the only woman in history to run sub-51 in the event.

McLaughlin-Levrone qualified to run in the 200, 400 and 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic trials, but she opted to focus on her best event.

“The 400 hurdles is my bread and butter. That’s what I’m most comfortable with,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “Stick to one event and try to do it the best I can.”

McLaughlin-Levrone might flirt with the idea of running in multiple events in the future, but her decision to put her attention solely on the 400-meter hurdles is bad news for the other competitors.

Sha'Carri Richardson

Events: 100, 200

Richardson made international news in the aftermath of the previous Olympic trials due to a one-month suspension after testing positive for THC. A few years later, Richardson proclaim, “I’m not back, I’m better.”

Richardson is coming off a world championship title in the 100 and a bronze medal in the 200. Her strong 2023 has carried over into this season.

Richardson beat a strong group of women in the 100 at the Prefontaine Classic last month. Her season-best of 10.83 is the third fastest time in the world this year.

The 24-year-old sprinter is vying for her first Olympics. She is the gold-medal favorite in the 100, but will have to hold off the likes of Aleia Hobbs, Jacious Sears and McKenzie Long.

Gabby Thomas has the top-seeded time in the 200, but Richardson could also make the U.S. squad in her secondary event.

Ryan Crouser

Event: Shot put

The most dominant athlete on the men’s side, Crouser staked claim as the best shot putter of all time. Crouser’s personal-best of 77 feet, 3¾ inches is the world record. He owns the top four shot put marks ever.

Crouser is the heavy favorite to win gold in the men’s shot put at the Olympic trials. He’s won gold at two consecutive Olympics. The 31-year-old could became the first shot putter in Olympic history to win gold at three straight Olympics.

Athing Mu

Event: 800

At the Toyko Olympics, Mu became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800 since Madeline Manning did it at the 1968 Mexico City games. Mu then followed up her Olympic performance by winning a world championship title in the 800 in 2022. However, the American middle-distance runner hasn’t been as dominant since then. She placed third at the 2023 world championships and scratched out of last month’s Prefontaine Classic due to a sore hamstring.

Despite a quiet 2024 campaign, all eyes will be on Mu when she runs the 800 in Eugene. McLaughlin-Levrone, Richardson and Mu are the stars of U.S. track and field on the women’s side.

Mu’s U.S. trials 800 qualifying time of 1:54.97 is nearly three seconds better than the next best competitor. The American-record holder in the event looks to reclaim her status as the top 800-meter runner in the world.

Grant Holloway

Event: 110 hurdles

Holloway’s won three straight world championship gold medals in the 110-meter hurdles, but he’s still chasing an Olympic gold medal. The U.S. hurdler is looking to make the Olympic team after finishing second at the Tokyo Games.

Holloway enters the trials with a season-best time of 13.03, which is the top time in the world this year. The 26-year-old has the only entry under 13 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials.

If Holloway clears all the hurdles cleanly, he’ll likely be on his way to Paris.  

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.