Track and Field Day 4: Sydney McLaughlin highlights 400m Hurdles Semifinals originally appeared on NBC Sports Northwest
Day 4 of track and field action at the Tokyo Olympics will feature U.S. superstars Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad as they look to clinch a spot in the women’s 400m hurdles final.
Gabby Thomas, Jenna Prandini and Anavia Battle will attempt to reach the women’s 200m final against two of the fastest women alive in Jamacia’s Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly Ann-Fraser Price.
Here’s what to look for as Day 4 begins in Tokyo.
Women’s 400m Hurdles Semifinals
World record holder Sydney McLaughlin returns to the track in the women’s 400m hurdles semifinal. McLaughlin easily crossed the finish line ahead of the competition in her Round 1 heat Friday with a time of 54.65 seconds.
Reigning champion Dalilah Muhammad will also look to clinch a spot in the final and defend her title from the 2016 Rio Olympics. Muhammad ran a 54.97 time in Round 1.
American Anna Cockrell will also have a shot to give the U.S. three women in the 400m hurdles final in the third heat.
Watch the women’s 400m hurdles semifinals live starting at 7:35 a.m. ET.
Women’s 200m Semifinals
Gabby Thomas, Jenna Prandini and Anavia Battle will attempt to book their spot in the women’s 200m final.
However, they will face some stout competition including the fastest woman alive, Elaine Thompson-Herah who will run in Thomas’ heat at 6:32 a.m.
Prandini will go up against Tokyo 100m silver medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price in the first semifinal heat at 6:25 a.m.
Watch the women’s 200m semifinals live starting at 6:25 a.m. ET.
Women’s Discus Final
American Valerie Allman looks likely to challenge for a medal. The 26-year old broke the American record at a three-competitor meet in August 2020. She could become the first American to win a medal in women’s discus.
She will have to beat out Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic who enters the event as the two-time defending Olympic champion.
Watch the women’s discus final live starting at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Men’s 400m Semifinals
Michael Norman and Michael Cherry will attempt to make the men’s 400m final. Norman entered 2019 as the favorite for the world title but failed to qualify due to an injury. As long as he’s healthy, Norma is expected to contend for gold in Tokyo.
Cherry won two 4x400m relay titles at the world championships in the men’s 4x400m and the mixed relay.