By Paul Martin in Paris | Zharnel Hughes is fit and firing as he bids to be crowned the world’s fastest man this weekend.
The 29-year-old withdrew from June’s European Championships with a hamstring injury and was given an exemption for the UK Athletics Championships, doubling up as Olympic trials, which followed.
Hughes returned to action by clocking 10 seconds flat at the London Diamond League meeting a fortnight ago and has ground to make up on outspoken American rival Noah Lyles, who won that race in a personal best of 9.81sec and arrives as the favourite.
“That was my feel-out to see how things were going,” Hughes said at the London Stadium. “We wanted the nine seconds but we were grateful for what we were given.
“I’m feeling a lot better, I have enjoyed the training camp and I am looking forward to competing. My goal is the same as everyone else here – to medal.”
The early rounds of the men’s 100m take place on Saturday, with the semi-finals and final to follow on Sunday evening. You can find i‘s full guide to the key events in the athletics, and the best hopes of a British medal, here.
World champion Lyles has dominated the build-up to the showpiece, claiming in a press conference this week: “If Noah Lyles is being Noah Lyles, there is nobody else.”
Reigning champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy and Lyles’ compatriot Fred Kerley are among those looking to challenge, while Hughes may not be the sole Brit in the final.
Sheffield’s Louie Hinchliffe, 22, is the new kid on the block and arrives following a breakthrough season on the US College circuit, while 23-year-old Welshman Jeremiah Azu completes the Team GB trio.
Watch every moment of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live only on discovery+, the streaming home of the Olympics.