Predicting 100-meter performance at the Tokyo World Championships
The 100-meter dash is the blue-ribbon event within track and field (and yes, I am aware I’m saying that on an historically throws-orientated website). Over the years, we have been wowed by phenomenal performances in this event; Usain Bolt’s Olympic win in 2008, followed by his World Record in Berlin in 2009, or Sha’Carri Richardson’s 10.65 in 2023, having only made the final as a non-automatic qualifier. These performances continue to inspire the next generation of athletes, enthralled by watching their heroes dominate on TV, to test their talents on the playground or at the local athletics club. As a result, the 100m final at a major Championships’ is often the most widely watched—and spoken about—event. Even before the championships everyone starts to discuss what we can expect, and some new research has even tried to predict the upcoming results using statistical models.
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