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Newly-crowned Olympic 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei has announced that he will not defend his 5,000m title in Paris. The Ugandan distance runner made the announcement on Instagram Tuesday, expressing his pride in his recent 10,000m victory and his decision to focus on other goals."I'm so proud of having won Olympic gold in the 10,000m," said Cheptegei, who won silver in the event in the Tokyo Games. "So proud for Uganda. After the world junior 10,000m title, three times the world 10,000m titles, the world 10,000m record, this gold medal in an Olympic record time completes my collection."Cheptegei, who holds the world record in the 10,000m, explained that after consulting with his team, they decided it was best not to compete in the 5,000m in Paris. Heats for the 5,000m are scheduled for Wednesday, with the final slated for Saturday.Cheptegei's decision to skip the 5,000m in Paris is a strategic one. The Ugandan runner is currently focused on preparing for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he will be aiming to defend his 10,000m title. He is also eyeing the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he will be looking to repeat his 10,000m gold medal performance.Cheptegei's withdrawal from the 5,000m in Paris is a blow to the event, but it is also a testament to his commitment to his long-term goals. The Ugandan runner is one of the most talented distance runners in the world, and he is sure to continue to achieve great things in the years to come.

The United States shattered the world record in the heats of the mixed 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics on Friday, setting a blistering pace that sent shockwaves through the competition. The quartet of Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown clocked an astonishing 3min 07.41sec, obliterating the previous best of 3:08.80 set by the US at the World Championships in Budapest last year.Vernon Norwood, the lead-off runner, emphasized the importance of executing flawless hand-offs. "We wanted to come out here and execute good hand-offs," Norwood said. "We set the tone for the rest of the United States with that world record."Shamier Little, the second leg, echoed Norwood's sentiments. "We have a really good group of guys and gals," Little said. "I'm just really excited, first of all for our record, and that's only in the prelim, so it's only up from here."Bryce Deadmon, the third leg, described the electrifying atmosphere at the Stade de France, where a sell-out crowd of 69,000 cheered them on. "It was completely different compared to Tokyo in 2021 just for the simple fact that we have fans out here," Deadmon said. "I was running down the curve and I was like, 'Ah damn, it's kind of loud in here.' It's a great experience. I'm excited to see what the rest of the Games are going to bring."Kaylyn Brown, the anchor leg, brought the baton home in record-breaking fashion. "It was an amazing feeling," Brown said. "I knew I had to give it my all for the team, and I'm so proud of what we accomplished today."The US team's world record performance not only set a new benchmark but also inspired other nations to push their limits. France, Belgium, and Jamaica all set national records in the same heat, finishing in second, third, and fourth places, respectively. Britain won the second heat in another national record time of 3:10.61, ahead of the Netherlands and Italy.The mixed relay, which made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, has quickly become a fan favorite. Poland won gold in Tokyo, followed by the Dominican Republic and the US. The final of the mixed 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics is scheduled for Saturday at 1855 GMT.

The ninth meet of the 2024 Diamond League, held at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille, Monaco, served as a thrilling prelude to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. With several Paris 2024-bound athletes competing in 14 Diamond disciplines, the event showcased some of the world's top track and field stars.The highlight of the meet was the men's 400-meter hurdles event, which featured a clash of the titans. World record holder Karsten Warholm (Norway), 2022 Diamond League champion Alison dos Santos (Brazil), and 2023 Diamond League champion Rai Benjamin (United States) battled it out in an eight-man field. The three athletes have clocked the 15 fastest times in the discipline's history and met for the first time since the 2023 Diamond League final, where Benjamin emerged victorious.Other notable performances included Tokyo 2020 men's 1500-meter gold medalist Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway), who competed in the 800-meter event. Tokyo 2020 men's 110-meter hurdles gold medalist Hansle Parchment (Jamaica) also took part in the 110-meter hurdles. In the women's events, 2019 Diamond League women's 100-meter winner Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain) competed in the 200-meter race.The Diamond League 2024 featured a wide range of disciplines, including high jump, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, javelin throw, pole vault, triple jump, 100m, 400m, 2000m, and 5000m.The event was a testament to the high level of competition and excitement that fans can expect at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. With just a few days to go before the mega event, the Diamond League provided a glimpse of the thrilling performances that are in store.

World Athletics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (LA28) have announced a groundbreaking shift in the competition schedule. In a historic move, athletics will now take center stage during the first week of the Olympic Games at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum. This unprecedented change marks the first time a stadium will host events at three Olympic Games.The decision to prioritize athletics in the opening week is a testament to the sport's global appeal and its ability to captivate audiences. By showcasing the world's greatest track and field athletes at the outset of the Games, LA28 aims to create an electrifying atmosphere and set the tone for an unforgettable Olympic experience."We are thrilled to support this visionary timetable change for LA28," said Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics. "This move underscores our commitment to innovation in athletics and elevating the global profile of our athletes. By prioritizing athletics in the first week, the Games will witness the most thrilling of starts, captivating audiences worldwide and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic journey for global audiences."The schedule adjustment, which sees swimming events move to the second week, is expected to unlock unparalleled opportunities for athletics in pre-Games promotion and Games-time viewership. The first-week scheduling positions athletics at the forefront of the Games, ensuring a strong start and sustained excitement throughout the event.The historic marathon events will remain over the last weekend, with medals presented during the closing ceremony – a tradition that befits an event that has been part of the programme since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.The swap allows athletics, for the first time in memory, to benefit from the high level of interest and excitement provided by the opening ceremony. And not just any opening ceremony, but one crafted in the storytelling and creative capital of the world in Los Angeles."Over the past months, LA28 has worked closely with World Athletics, World Aquatics, the IOC, and OBS to assess the opportunities around this competition schedule swap," said Janet Evans, Chief Athlete Officer of LA28. "We believe the positive effects of this change will extend beyond the two sports involved, strengthening the LA28 Games as a whole and ultimately benefiting all sports in the LA28 sport programme."The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be held from 14-30 July 2028, featuring over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing in 35 sports currently in the LA28 sport programme. This marks the third time Los Angeles will host the Olympics, following the 1932 and 1984 Games.

Indian distance runner Gulveer Singh has etched his name in the history books by shattering the men's 5,000m national record at the Portland Track Festival High Performance Meet. The 26-year-old clocked an impressive 13:18.92 in the Paul Banta Memorial race, eclipsing the previous mark of 13:19.30 set by Avinash Sable in 2022.Singh, who hails from western Uttar Pradesh, now holds the national record in both the 10,000m and 5,000m events. He had previously won the 10,000m bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year with a time of 28:17.21 seconds.In the Portland race, American distance runner Dylan Jacobs, a three-time NCAA champion, emerged victorious with a time of 13:18.18. India's Kartik Kumar finished 17th with a timing of 13:41.07, while Sable, who has a season's best of 13:20.37, unfortunately did not complete the race.In the men's 5,000m high performance event, Abhishek Pal set a personal best of 13:41.57 to secure third place.The Portland Track Festival is a prestigious track meet in the United States, attracting Olympic champions, world record holders, and countless Olympians over the years. Singh's record-breaking performance at this event is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic and world champion javelin thrower, displayed his resilience and determination at the season-opening Doha Diamond League. Despite facing challenging conditions, Chopra overcame a slow start to secure a second-place finish with a best throw of 88.36m.Chopra's first two attempts were underwhelming, but he gradually improved his performance. In his third attempt, he launched the javelin 86.24m, moving into second place. However, Czech thrower Jakub Vadlejch had set a high bar with his 88.38m effort in the third round.Undeterred, Chopra continued to push himself. In his fifth attempt, he came close to Vadlejch's mark with a throw of 86.18m. With one final attempt remaining, Chopra summoned his reserves of strength and unleashed a mighty throw that landed just two centimeters short of Vadlejch's winning distance.Despite the narrow margin, Chopra was satisfied with his performance. He acknowledged the challenging conditions and expressed his gratitude for the support of his team. Chopra's second-place finish is a testament to his mental fortitude and his ability to perform under pressure.The Doha Diamond League marked Chopra's first competition of the 2024 season. He will now return to India for a brief visit before competing at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar next week. Chopra's next major international competition will be the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland next month, where he is expected to face a stronger field.

Edwin Moses, the legendary hurdler, revolutionized athletic training with his pioneering use of biomechanics. Drawing upon his scientific background, Moses devised innovative methods that pushed the boundaries of human performance.At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Moses claimed gold and set his first world record of 47.64 seconds. His relentless pursuit of excellence led to further record-breaking performances: 47.45 seconds (1977), 47.13 seconds (1980), and 47.02 seconds (1983). His record stood unchallenged for nine years.Moses's scientific approach extended beyond training. He employed computers and heart rate monitors, technologies unheard of at the time. His data-driven approach allowed him to optimize his performance and gain an edge over his rivals.Despite the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games, Moses remained dominant, winning his second Olympic gold in Los Angeles in 1984. His superior stride pattern and technical prowess kept his competitors at bay.Moses's unbeaten streak in the 400m hurdles spanned 10 years, during which he won 122 consecutive races and 107 finals in a row. His legacy as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time remains unchallenged.While technology has advanced significantly since Moses's era, he believes that the sport of track and field has not truly progressed. Despite faster times and cutting-edge equipment, he argues that the fundamental principles of biomechanics remain the same."Times are faster because now they have shoes that react to the track, give you feedback that would have been illegal," Moses says. "So, the technology is helping and times are a lot faster. It seems like the sport is progressing but I don't think it really is."Moses emphasizes that fast times are not for everyone and that it takes exceptional individuals to achieve world-class performances. He cautions against unrealistic expectations and stresses the importance of recognizing the unique abilities of each athlete.

Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, India's brightest track and field prospect for the Paris Olympics, has suffered a devastating knee injury that has shattered his Olympic dreams and sidelined him for the entire year.Sreeshankar, who had already qualified for the Paris Games with a leap of 8.37m at the Asian Championships last year, sustained the injury during training on Tuesday. Tests revealed a tear in his patellar tendon, requiring surgery that will keep him out of action for months.The injury is a major setback for Sreeshankar, who had been in excellent form in 2023. He won a silver medal at the Asian Games, finished third in the Paris Diamond League, and set a new personal best of 8.41m at the Inter-State Championships.Sreeshankar's absence will be a significant blow to India's track and field contingent for the Paris Olympics. He was the only Indian jumper to have made the qualification mark for the Games, and his experience and talent would have been invaluable in the quest for medals.The injury has left Sreeshankar devastated, but he has vowed to overcome this adversity. "My journey to a comeback began the minute I injured my knee," he wrote in an emotional social media post. "This road is going to be long, difficult, and will take a lot out of me. The good thing is, I have a lot to give. I will overcome this, because that's what Mamba Mentality is all about."Sreeshankar's injury is a reminder of the fragility of athletic careers and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite this setback, he remains a talented and determined athlete with the potential to achieve great things in the future.

Mykolas Alekna, the 21-year-old Lithuanian discus thrower, has shattered the longest-standing men's world record in track and field, eclipsing a mark that had stood for 38 years.Alekna's record-breaking throw of 74.35m came at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational meet on Sunday. It surpassed the previous record of 74.08m set by East German Jurgen Schult in 1986.Alekna's achievement is particularly remarkable given that he is still in the early stages of his career. He is the son of Virgilijus Alekna, a two-time Olympic and world champion discus thrower.Mykolas Alekna's rise to the top has been rapid. He won the European and world U-20 championships in 2021 and went on to win gold at the European Championships and silver at the World Championships in 2022.Alekna's progression has been consistent, with his season bests improving significantly over the past few years. He credits his father as his "big idol" and says that fishing is his most relaxing getaway from his profession.Alekna's record-breaking throw has sent shockwaves through the world of athletics. He is now a serious contender for gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024.