WORLDS DAILY: Rewriting the History Books (Day 8)
Everything you need to know about Day 8 of the 2022 World Athletic Championships
We truly are living in a golden age of track and field. Some of the all-time greats race one another head to head, and when that happens, records that once seemed untouchable are no longer safe.
We got two national records and two top-3 all-time marks in the men’s and women’s 200m last night. After finishing second in the 100m, Shericka Jackson turned the tables on her Jamaican teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to run 21.45, the second-fastest 200m ever, and claim the gold medal for herself.
Despite SAFP’s best attempts, her win was never in doubt and she absolutely ran away from what was arguably the greatest field ever assembled to claim her first individual gold medal. It must have felt good as someone who is so often relegated to backup-singer status when standing next to global superstars Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah to finally claim the spotlight all her own, and it was a great show of sportsmanship that SAFP was absolutely ecstatic for her teammate’s win.
The track had barely cooled down from the women’s final when Noah Lyles set the whole building on fire. The men lined up for their shot at a race halfway around the track and by the time they came off the turn, hardcore fans knew that Lyles had it sown up. The exciting news behind him was that Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton were only steps behind him, and for the third time this championships, the U.S. men swept the podium. But the even bigger news was the time on the big screen, which first flashed 19.32, which would tie Michael Johnson’s American record, and then the crowd roared when it adjusted down to 19.31, meaning Lyles broke the 26-year-old record by 0.01 seconds.
I may be biased as it was the first session I got to see in person during these championships, but the atmosphere was absolutely electric last night. The Jamaican fans in the packed stadium got to celebrate a huge 1-2 for their stars, and then the home crowd got their own moment of victory. Safe to say that almost everyone in attendance went home happy.
Today, we have three long-sprint finals as the men’s and women’s 400m and the women’s 400m hurdles all get contested. We’re officially on world record watch every time Sydney McLaughlin steps on the track, so you won’t want to miss it.
As always, we had more new friends on CITIUS MAG Live yesterday fresh off competition, as Keira D’Amato, Laulauga Tausaga-Collins, Courtney Wayment, and 400m hurdles bronze medalist Trevor Bassitt stopped by the tent to chat about their Championship experience. After all the fireworks yesterday, we’re hoping to get some seriously big names for you over the next few days, so make sure you tune in!
SCHEDULE AND TV DETAILS FOR DAY 7 (all times EST):
9:15am Women’s 35km Race Walk Final
8:05pm Men’s Pole Vault Qualification
8:40pm Women’s 4x100m Relay Heats
9:05pm Men’s 4x100m Relay Heats
9:20pm Women’s Javelin Throw Final
9:35pm Women’s 800m Semi-Final
10:15pm Women’s 400m Final
10:35pm Men’s 400m Final
10:50pm Women’s 400m Hurdles Final
All the action airs live on the USA Network and on Peacock starting at 8:30pm EST.
Full timetable and live results | Full streaming details
MUST-WATCH EVENTS OF THE DAY: Women’s 400m hurdles (Presented by Hayward Magic)
We got a world record at the last two global championships, first Dalilah Muhammad in 2019 and then Sydney McLaughlin in 2021. And then McLaughlin re-broke her own world record at USAs this year. So it’s safe to say that we might see another fastest time in history (or two, or three) in the final of the women’s 400m hurdles.
In addition to Muhammad, Femke Bol of the Netherlands won’t let McLaughlin walk away with it easy as she’s looked fantastic all year and, like McLaughlin, is only 22 years old. It stands to be another good day for Americans as well as four of the eight women toeing the start line will be from Team USA.
What to watch for: This will likely be more of an evenly-paced race throughout compared to the men, as none of the women entered are particularly late finishers. If Jackson gets a lead coming off the turn, she’ll probably hold it.
What to tell your friends: The greatest of all time in this event is only getting better. Watch her work.
Britton Wilson’s long season: NCAA 400m hurdles champ Britton Wilson has been racing since January 14 and she’s in the final. Here’s hoping she can keep it going one more race.
MUST-WATCH ATHLETE OF THE DAY: Michael Norman (Presented by Hayward Magic)
The world leader at 400m has looked great through the rounds, but championship finals have been unkind to him in the past. All the stars appear to be aligning for the U.S. star to pick up his first individual global title, however, and we’ll find out this evening if he can deliver.
Norman’s biggest challenge will likely come from 2012 Olympic 400m champ Kirani James of Grenada, but you never know if world record holder Wayde Van Niekerk will throw down something surprising after years of injuries. Plus, the U.S. has a shot at another multiple-medal event as NCAA stud Champion Allison looked great to make the final.
What to watch for: Michael Norman finally getting his gold.
What to tell your friends: One of the U.S.’s most promising stars over the past few years has never quite put it together at the Olympics or Worlds, but today may be the day.
Has he been in the gym: The CITIUS MAG media team has been joking around with Norman all year about his noticeably bulked-up physique. Keep an eye on his guns!
TWEET OF THE DAY: RGIII ON T&F
NFL quarterback and former track and field runner Robert Griffin III breaks down the men’s 200m.
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
A tough spill and bit of track rash for fan-favorite Woody Kincaid in the prelims of the men’s 5000m.
Photo captured by: Justin Britton
First the 100m. Then the shot put. Now Team USA sweeps the 200m.
Photo captured by: Johnny Zhang
FOLLOW ALONG WITH CITIUS MAG:
CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: Every day of the World Championships, we will invite athletes, coaches and fellow media members to kick back for fun interviews with Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber, and ESPN SportsCenter host John Anderson. Today’s show will air live at 4pm EST with a whole new group of entertaining guests.
CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber Jasmine Todd, and Katelyn Hutchison unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at Hayward Field and interviewing athletes each day.
DAILY MORNING RUNS: If you’re in Eugene, catch some miles with The CITIUS MAG team in partnership with Garmin and Tracksmith Running. We’ll have giveaways, coffee and treats for people in town. On most days, we are meeting at Washburne Park (East 21st Ave & Agate Street) and go for some easy miles. We aim to start these runs at 8:30 am each day. Today and tomorrow, we have the team from SOS Hydration on hand to provide free samples of their top-tier drink mix. You can also use the code CITIUS20 online for a 20% discount.
Tracksmith is a presenting sponsor of CITIUS MAG’s coverage of the World Championships. CITIUS MAG Newsletter readers get a special offer only during the World Championships. Visit Tracksmith.com and use code WORLDS at checkout for 20% off. That’s for all readers - whether you’re new to Tracksmith, or if you’re like me and already have a whole wardrobe in your closet. New customers who spend $150 or more can receive a free Van Cortlandt Singlet in Navy. Go to Tracksmith.com/vcpromo to add your singlet to your cart. When your total cart from other items has reached or exceeded $150, the price will reduce to $0 in cart.
In addition to our content, Tracksmith partnered with Puma to produce a six-episode podcast series with Pushkin Industries as best-selling author and Revisionist History podcast host Malcolm Gladwell explores the story of the 1960s San Jose State Track and Field team that excelled on the track but also led the protest at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. “Legacy of Speed” features conversations with athletes, journalists, coaches, and documentarians who made it happen. Listen to Legacy of Speed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Get tickets to his live show in Eugene here.
Hayward Magic has a lot slated for the World Championships with Demitra Carter returning with her mini mic for Tiny Talks on the track, Real Talks interviews with Tiara Williams, always-entertaining content from the 2 Black Runners Podcast, and a few other surprises throughout the week. Tap into Hayward Magic's coverage of the action in Eugene. Follow them on Instagram: @HaywardMagic.
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