Jake Wightman is back in stadia and is ready to compete on the world stage

© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated

Twenty-nine-year-old British runner Jake Wightman has returned to the outdoor track in great shape and ready to take on the world at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Friday, during the USATF Grand Prix in Los Angeles, the 1500-metre specialist ran the 800m event under the Olympic standard with a 1:44.10 performance. His best is 1:43.65 from the 2022 Brussels Diamond League. The standard is 1:44.70. Forty-eight male and female athletes will contest the 800m. Whightman likely will not be one of them.

Back in business 💼@JakeSWightman hit the Olympic standard in the 800m with 1:44.10 last night 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ZALahSLFYP

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) May 19, 2024

The 2022 Eugene World Athletics Champion won the 1500m over favourite Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway in the time of 3:29.23, which is his personal best. He will race the 1500m, among 44 others. The qualifying standard is 3:33.50.

The Scottish athlete has been hampered with injuries including to the foot, shin and hamstring. He made a comeback at an indoor event in Boston in February, clocking a new personal best time in the indoor 1500m finishing in 3:34.06. In March, he hit the road for some over-distance racing. It is common now for 1500m runners to race the 5km or 5000m event to complement their training for the 1500m — he finished in 13:52. Friday’s 800m was about under-distance training, stimulating the fast twitch and the anaerobic strata.

Wightman is the son of Welsh athlete Susan Tooby (now Wightman) who competed in the marathon. She finished 12th during the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games in the time of 2:31:33, in the heat and long before super shoes. His father is Geoff, a noted race announcer and 2:13:17 marathon runner.

Five athletes ran under the Olympic standard including winner Bryce Hoppel, Isaiah Jewett, Brandon Miller, and Isaiah Harris all of the US. Several top names missed the mark including Peter Bol, Kyle Langford, and Clayton Murphy.

Results