Paris Olympics 2024: Who is Erriyon Knighton? Time, date and how to stream men's 100 and 200m finals
PARIS, FRANCE: Erriyon Knighton, the 20-year-old from Florida, could be the next legend in the track, predicts Usain Bolt ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Knighton is exceptionally fast and owns both the under-18 and under-20 world 200m records. In the upcoming sports events, scheduled to commence on July 26, 2024, in Paris, Knighton aims to break 100 and 200m records previously set by Usain Bolt at the Olympics.
Erriyon Knighton aims to break Usain Bolt's records
At age 16, Knighton clocked 20.33 in the Junior Olympics - setting the second-fastest time by an under-18-year-old, behind Bolt only.
In June 2021, aged 17, he made the USA Olympic team, becoming the youngest male American to achieve the feat in 57 years. And by the end of the Olympics, he had not only managed to claim fourth in the 200m but also beaten Bolt’s under-18 world record on multiple occasions.
At age 17, Bolt’s best time was 19.93, 0.09 seconds slower than Knighton’s best at the age. It took Bolt until age 20 to achieve a lower mark - this time of 19.75. This is considering the fact that Knighton may have once taken a different route.
The wide receiver at Tampa Hillsborough High School was actually keen to pursue his sporting interests in the NFL and several of the best American colleges with strong football programs had expressed interest in drafting the teen.
And, less than one year, in April 2022, Knighton set an all-time record of 19.49 seconds at the LSU Invitational which is the current under-20 world record, breaking the previous best set by none other than the fastest man on earth- Bolt.
Knighton reacted with little emotion to his victory. He knew he had run fast, but he did not yet know that his result was surpassed only by three of the greatest sprinters of all time.
Knighton expressed surprise, saying he did not think he would achieve such a time until he was 20 or 21. When his coach, Mike Holloway, told him he had run 19.49, he responded, “No I didn’t.” Knighton had not been able to see the scoreboard at the Louisiana State to know of his feat
Bolt’s current world record time of 19.19 was set in 2009 when he was 22 years old. After improving the junior world records several times, Knighton is now eyeing another of Bolt’s world bests - the 19.19 he ran at the 2009 world championships in Berlin. "I want the world record. But if it doesn’t come, I won’t be really bothered about it. I’ve still got 10 years left," Knighton told NBC Sports.
What did Usain Bolt say about Erriyon Knighton ahead of the Olympics 2024?
Even though Usain Bolt hung up his running shoes in 2017, he continues to follow the major track events happening across the world. Now as we wait for Paris Olympics to begin, so does Bolt with a unique observation on Knighton.
The eight-time Olympic gold medalist said on Obi One Podcast, "There is one kid who had my attention for a while. His name is Knighton, from the States. He ran 19.40-something. He's only just turning 20. So he was pretty good. But it's all about developing the talent. You have to find a good coach, someone to nurture and understand how to nurture the talent and help to build that talent,” as reported by Inside The Games.
When will Paris Olympics 2024 start?
Spanning over two weeks, the multi-sports event commences on July 26, 2024, with an opening ceremony scheduled to take place at 1:55 pm ET. France will host 10,714 athletes from 206 nations.
The major sports include Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Shooting, Hockey, Swimming, Tennis, and Wrestling among others.
When will Paris Olympics 2024 men's 100m and 200m final take place?
Erriyon Knighton's performance in Olympics 2024 is one of the most-anticipated ones as he aims for 100 and 200m records.
Men's 100m final is scheduled for August 4, 2024, at 3:50 pm ET while 200m final will take place on August 8, at 2:30 pm ET.
How to stream Paris Olympics 2024 men's 100 and 200m finals?
You can stream the epic sports event on your TV, mobile phones, and laptops. Those with cable connection will be able to stream the Olympics 2024 on USA Network.
People who are dependent on digital streaming can buy a subscription to Peacock to watch the event.