The 100- and 200-meter events in track and field long have been key factors in determining the fastest man and woman on Earth.

Throughout history, those titles have changed hands many times, and often on the grandest stages. It could happen again Saturday and Sunday in the 100-meter finals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

With the track and field action at Stade de France in full swing, it’s time for the sprinters to claim their moments in the spotlight, no matter how brief. Actually, the shorter the better.

• Subscribe To FloTrack To Watch Track And Field And Cross Country All Season
• USA Track And Field Olympic Roster
• What Is The Olympic Track And Field Repechage Round? We've Got Answers

The preliminary round of the women’s 100m was completed Friday, and the 27-athlete field now is set for the semifinals, which will take place Saturday at 1:50 p.m. Eastern.

Eight women then will advance to the final, scheduled for Saturday at 3:20 p.m. EDT.

The men will hit the track at Stade de France for their preliminary heats Saturday at 4:35 a.m. Eastern and 5:45 a.m. EDT. The semifinals will be Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT, and the final will follow at 3:55 p.m.

Women’s 100 Meters At The 2024 Summer Olympics

As expected, reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States has advanced and will continue her quest for her first Olympic medal. She was fourth in the opening round with a time of 10.94. 

Marie Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast ran the fastest time of the day (10.87).

Richardson entered the event as the favorite, and the path seemed to get a little bit easier earlier in the week when Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson withdrew from the event to focus on the 200 meters.

Team USA’s Melissa Jefferson (10.96) and Twanisha Terry (11.15) also qualified for the semifinals. 

In recent years at the Olympics, the event has been dominated by the Jamaicans. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won in 2008 and 2012, while Elaine Thompson won in 2016 and 2020.

Fraser-Pryce was tied for second place in qualifying Friday with a 10.92 performance, maintaining the expectation for a USA-Jamaica battle for the gold medal.

See the results of the women's 100-meter prelims and the rest of the track and field action on Aug. 2.

Men’s 100 Meters At The 2024 Summer Olympics

On the men’s side, Team USA’s Noah Lyles may be better-known for his prowess at 200 meters, but he’s targeting a 100, 200 and 4x100 triple in Paris. 

The last time an athlete from the United States won the men’s 100-meter race at the Olympics was 2004 (Justin Gatlin) – then came a dominant run by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, who won it three consecutive times (2008, 2012, 2016) and is the only athlete in history to achieve that feat. 

Lyles made his intentions known with a statement performance in the 100 at the recent London Athletics Meet (Diamond League London), where he ran a personal-best time of 9.81 seconds.

Likely, Lyles’ main competition in the 100 at the Olympics will be Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who owns the year’s fastest time at 9.77. 

Defending champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy also will be in the field. 

2024 Olympic Track And Field Schedule For 100-Meter Semifinals And Finals

All Times Eastern

Aug 3

• 1:50 p.m.: Women's 100m Semifinal, Stade de France
• 3:20 p.m.: Women's 100m Final, Stade de France

Aug. 4

• 2 p.m.: Men's 100m Semifinal, Stade de France
• 3:55 p.m.: Men's 100m Final, Stade de France

How To Watch The 2024 Paris Olympic Summer Games 

The Olympics are on the NBC family of networks, including the Peacock streaming app. 

Get The Latest Paris 2024 Olympic Track News On FloTrack

FloTrack is on the ground in Paris with the latest news. Get the latest news and notes and vibes from Paris on FloTrack. 

FloTrack Is The Streaming Home For Many Track And Field Meets Each Year

Don't miss all the track and field season action streaming on FloTrack. Check out the FloTrack schedule for more events.

FloTrack Archived Footage

Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Join The Track & Field Conversation On Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloTrack
• Follow us on Instagram @flotrack
• Follow us on TikTok @flotracktv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook