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This season has seen athletes run crazy times in the men's 200m and threaten Usain Bolt's 19.19 seconds 200m world record.
The men’s 200m has been very competitive in the recent past and has seen new champions being crowned, changing the algorithm of the top fastest 200m runners in the world this year.
Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, three-time world 200m champion Noah Lyles and Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek are some of the 200m runners who have made headlines this season, with Erriyon Knighton and Alexander Ogando also making the cut.
The crazy times being run by different athletes have also seen American sprint legend, Michael Johnson note that the 200m will be very competitive in the few coming seasons. He insisted that the 200m usually has one dominant athlete but this season, things have shifted dramatically.
Top 5 fastest men in the 200m in 2024
1) Letsile Tebogo
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The Motswana sprinter is undoubtedly one of the greatest 200m runners the world has witnessed this season, from running crazy times to winning the Paris Olympic Games. No one would have thought that Tebogo would bounce back from his mother’s loss to take the wins in almost all of his 200m races.
After the Olympic Games, where he clocked an African record time and a world-leading time of 19.46 seconds, Tebogo went on to continue his winning streak to the Diamond League Meetings in Lausanne, Silesia and Zurich before finishing second at the meeting final in Brussels. He also claimed the crown at the Grand Prix Lombardia, a few days before the meeting in Brussels.
2) Noah Lyles
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Despite testing for COVID-19 and ending his Olympic bid prematurely, Lyles could not miss on the list of the top 200m contenders, thanks to his prowess in the 200m. The three-time world 200m champion clocked the second-fastest time this season at the US Olympic trials, where he clearly had to dig deep for a win.
At the trials, Lyles clocked an impressive 19.53 seconds to win the race and punch his ticket to the Olympic Games where he could only afford a bronze medal. Before the Olympics, Lyles did not compete in any 200m race.
3) Kenny Bednarek
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Kenny Bednarek has been consistent in the 100m and 200m this season and ending the season among the fastest 200m runners in the world is a confidence booster as he takes a break before bouncing back for the World Championships next season.
The Olympic 200m silver medallist ran the third fastest time of 19.57 seconds to finish second behind Tebogo at the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich. Bednarek went on to claim top honours in the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels.
The American sprint king started his season on a high, setting a world-leading time of 19.67 seconds at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha and has not looked back since then.
4) Courtney Lindsey
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Courtney Lindsey has had quite a great season, starting from the Miramar Invitational to finishing fourth at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels. Lindsey’s highlight of the year must have been stunning Letsile Tebogo at the Kip Keino Classic.
At the time, he clocked 19.71 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. Despite missing an individual slot at the Paris Olympic Games, Lindsey has maintained great shape and he will be out to chase a World Championships slot next season.
5) Tarsis Orogot
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Uganda’s Tarsis Orogot will be remembered for his signature socks at the Paris Olympic Games but he has also recorded faster times this season. Orogot clocked an impressive 19.75 seconds to win the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
After the Olympic Games, Orogot did not compete in any other event and he will be looking to make an impact next year as he eyes a slot at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
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