Keep your eyes peeled for two local sprinters—Burpengary’s Ella Connolly and Caboolture’s Calab Law—as the athletics portion of the Paris Olympics gets underway and they aim to stake their claim among the world’s fastest.
Ella Connolly in the women’s 100m and 4x100m relay
The 100m dash holds a special place in the world of athletics. As the shortest common outdoor running distance, it is perhaps the most popular and prestigious event in track and field. The winner of this event at the Olympics or World Championships often earns the unofficial title of “the fastest person in the world.”
Read: Ella Connolly: Sprinting Sensation from Burpengary Heading to Paris Olympics
The 5’9” trackstar faces a tight schedule in her quest for Olympic glory:
Preliminary Round: 2 August, 6:35 p.m.
Round 1: 2 August , 7:50 p.m.
Semifinals: 3 August, 3:50 a.m.
Finals: 3 August, 5:20 a.m.
This compressed timeline will test not only Connolly’s speed but also her endurance and recovery abilities. She enters the event facing stiff competition that includes the current women’s world champion, USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson.
Almost a week after her individual event, the 24-year-old will join her teammates for the 4x100m relay:
Round 1: 8 August, 7:10 p.m.
Finals: 10 August, 3:30 a.m.
Calab Law in the men’s 200m
The 200m dash is a challenging event that attracts world class runners from various disciplines, particularly those who compete in the 100m. It requires a combination of explosive speed and sustained power, making it a true test of an athlete’s capabilities.
Read: Calab Law from Caboolture: Sprinting Towards History, Cathy Freeman as Inspiration
Calab Law’s path to potential Olympic glory follows this timeline:
Preliminary Round: 6 August, 3:55 a.m.
Repechages: 6 August, 6:30 p.m.
Semifinals: 8 August, 5:02 a.m.
Finals: 9 August , 4:30 a.m.
This schedule allows for more recovery time between rounds compared to the 100m event, but demands peak performance over multiple days.
Law enters a field of fierce competitors that include the reigning Olympic champion Andre De Grasse from Canada and current World Champion Noah Lyles of the USA. At just 20 years old and standing 6’1”, Law brings youth and promising talent to the competition.
As the Paris Olympics sprinting events approach, Ella Connolly and Calab Law prepare to represent a country itching for athletics glory on the Olympic stage.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Ella Connolly, Calab Law/Instagram
Published 01-August-2024
