Mexico’s 4x100m Mixed Relay Team, which included Brandon Heredia, Gerardo Lomeli Ponce, and Alejandra Urias, has been disqualified from all results at the World Athletics Relays dating from May 2, 2026, with all titles, medals, prizes, and prize money forfeited. It was the date when Herra, 26, gave a urine sample in Gaborone. 

The event had taken the world by storm as Jamaica had broken the mixed 4x100m world record twice in two days, with the final run taking 39.62. Mexico, which took on Heat 3 with Jamaica, Australia, and Great Britain, recorded 41.57 in the qualifying rounds, which the Mexican athletics community said was one of the country’s best performances at the event. That time and those results have now been wiped from the record books.

On May 20, 2026, a WADA-accredited laboratory in Paris reported an Adverse Analytical Finding from Herrera’s sample, confirming the presence of Oxandrolone and its metabolites. The AIU notified Herrera on June 3 and gave her until June 10 to respond. She admitted the violations on that deadline, signing a formal Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences. 

The AIU has banned Yamile Herrera (Mexico) for 3 years from 3 June 2026 for Presence/Use of Prohibited Substance (Oxandrolone). DQ results from 2 May 2026 until 3 June 2026
Details here: https://t.co/HsqsrzSOiw pic.twitter.com/Qt1UzAVo0E

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) June 23, 2026

That decision entitled her to a one-year reduction from the standard four-year ban that applies to a first-time violation involving a non-specified substance. The four-year default period was shortened to three years. And she has waived her right to a disciplinary tribunal hearing. 

Oxandrolone, also known commercially as Anavar, was developed for medical use in the treatment of osteoporosis, a condition that can result in bone pain and severe weight loss. In sport, it falls under the category of S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on the WADA Prohibited List, meaning it is prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition. It is especially common among female athletes who are being doped and among athletes seeking less aggressive types of steroids, as it promotes muscle growth more anabolically than androgenically and is associated with fewer hormonal side effects.

According to anti-doping databases, Oxandrolone has been responsible for bans across 390 athletes globally, with 41 of those cases in athletics specifically. Russia accounts for the largest number of cases among nations.

A breakthrough season ends in a three-year suspension  

This infraction comes in the middle of a particularly impressive uptick in Yamile Herrera’s personal game in 2026. After a difficult 2025 campaign, where she finished fifth in both the 100m and 200m at the Mexican National Championships, Herrera had clocked personal-best times. In April 2026, she set her personal records with 11.55 in the 100m and 23.60 in the 200m, mere weeks before the World Relays.

Those times, which are now marked as illegal on her World Athletics profile, were recorded in the weeks before her sample was taken. She has not competed since May 6, 2026, when she was notably absent from Mexico’s National First Division Championships roster.

The disqualification of the relay team’s results has wider consequences for Mexico’s athletics program. The squad that competed in Gaborone included Brandon Heredia, a seven-time national champion; Gerardo Lomeli Ponce, the reigning national champion in the 100m and 200m; and Alejandra Urias, Mexico’s U20 national champion in both events. None of those athletes is involved in the doping case.

However, under World Athletics rules, if a relay team member commits a doping violation, the entire team’s results are canceled unless the case falls under specific fault or negligence exceptions. The implications of disqualification for the Beijing 2027 World Athletics Championships will now have to be evaluated by the relevant governing bodies. 

WADA and Mexico’s Comité Nacional Antidopaje have the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne within 15 days of receiving the full case file. Herrera also has the right to cross-appeal if either body chooses to do so. For now, she has yet to make a public statement, leaving the future of the case uncertain.

The post 26-Year-Old Sprinter Faces Three-Year Ban For Testing Positive For Steroids appeared first on EssentiallySports.

That user, named Track Trap God, believes that Richardson hasn’t fixed the one glaring problem she has. Her starts. 

“No,” Track Trap God wrote on X. “She will be third. Behind MJW and Juju. You looking at her up right running form, it does look superb. Post that ragedy a*** start that ain’t been fixed.

“She can’t win if she can’t get out with MJW and Juju. That fact has already been proven. Until she fixes that start, she will never be World’s Fastest Again,” they added. 

That, however, is a fair point. The 26-year-old is a notoriously slow starter, a flaw heavily exposed in the 100m where the start and acceleration phases are completely unforgiving. While the 200m gives her the runway to build maximum velocity and erase an early deficit, the shorter sprint leaves zero room for error.

We saw this vulnerability clearly during the early Diamond League circuit. In both Xiamen and Shanghai, Richardson struggled out of the blocks and simply ran out of track, finishing a disappointing fourth in the 200m with times of 22.38 and 22.42. However, since mid-June, the tide has turned, and the American sprinter looks to have found her rhythm just in time.

In fact, in her last three 100m races, Richardson has changed things around. So much so that despite a slow start — still faster than her norm — the 26-year-old registered 10.77 seconds. Only Adaejah Hodge (10.63) has run faster this season, with Shericka Jackson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and Julien Alfred all behind Richardson. 

Juju can’t finish when the pressure is on she breaks down the final 10-20m we seen this before

— Jake (@yothenameisjake) June 22, 2026

More pertinently, it marks the first time in two years that Sha’Carri Richardson has broken the sub-10.80, last doing so at the 2024 Olympics. That changes when it comes to the 200m, as 21 women have registered better times in 2026 than Richardson’s season best of 22.38. That once again includes Hodge, Jackson, Jefferson-Wooden, and Julien Alfred, with only Jefferson-Wooden outside the top ten. 

Hodge leads the pack yet again with a personal best of 21.68. That’s exactly what fans are pointing to, although one fan believes it may largely be for another reason altogether. They wrote, “1) Melissa and 2) Julien are in their prime, 3) SaCarri seems beyond hers but a solid 3rd.”

That sparked a debate among track and field fans, with many coming out of the woodwork to argue whether Richardson still has what it takes.

Fans debate whether Sha’Carri Richardson will be 2026’s fastest woman

“Juju can’t finish when the pressure is on; she breaks down the final 10-20m. We’ve seen this before,” one fan wrote about Julien Alfred.

That doesn’t seem likely, but the fan pointed to examples of Alfred struggling. They used the 2023 NCAA 100 m and 200m, which she also won. The fan also wrote about her 2023 Hungary professional debut (win), the 2024 Zurich DL (second to Richardson), and the 2025 World Championships final (third to Jefferson-Wooden and Tina Clayton).

Barring the last two races, where Alfred was off the pace, the St Lucian star has won the others. However, race videos do show Alfred slowing down, not breaking down in the final 10-20m in the two races she lost.

Not quite a perfect showcase from the Olympic gold medalist, but enough to give Richardson a chance. It’s likely why one fan touched upon injuries, something that every sprinter has faced at some point in their career.

“Her last start was actually decent in the Diamond League. Unfortunately, a lot of this comes down to these girls staying healthy. Gabby Thomas seems to be in form again, too. Seville looked terrible. But you never hear about the limits from long-lasting or nagging injuries,” they wrote on X.

The start they are talking about is when Richardson clocked 22.38 in the 200 m at the Xiamen Diamond League. She finished fourth, behind Shericka Jackson (21.87), Shaunae Miller-Uibo (22.04), and Anavia Battle (22.29). However, as the user mentioned, the 26-year-old’s start was marginally better than her previous 200m, where she clocked 22.42 for fourth.

That, however, has replicated in the 100m as Richardson has steadily improved, hitting 10.99 in her first 100m race of the season at the USATF LA Grand Prix. She slowed down a touch during the Star Athletics Sprint Series heat before hitting 10.77 in the final. Whether that’s a sign she’s back to her best, only time will tell, but one fan certainly does believe in her.

That’s even if they’re rooting for someone else as they wrote, “If she’s back to form & running 10.71, etc., she’ll win plenty. If she’s back to 10.65, it’s anybody’s game.  They all need to fear @FastElaine if she’s healthy… “

The fan was talking about Elaine Thompson-Herah. Currently the fastest woman alive and the second-fastest woman of all time, the Jamaican has struggled. More so with injuries and less so with inconsistency, having recently withdrawn from the Jamaican Championships. The 33-year-old ran an impressive prelim round before not showing up for the final, with no update issued since.

Her health has been a concern, especially after her two-year injury layoff. Her comeback so far hasn’t quite gone to plan, but given her pedigree and talent, there’s no denying she’s a threat. 

For now, the debate around Richardson seems less about her speed and more about whether she can consistently use it. Her recent improvement has given supporters plenty of reason for optimism. However, with others thriving, every phase of her race will be under a microscope for the rest of the season.

The post “She Can’t Win”: Sha’Carri Richardson’s Start Sparks Debate Over Her Chances of Becoming World’s Fastest Again appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“Athletics has given me memories that I will cherish forever, friendships that will last a lifetime, and opportunities I could only have dreamed of as a young girl joining Bandon AC,” Healy said in her retirement statement.

Throughout her career healy has won 17 national senior championships and had national 100m and 200m records for several years. In 2018, she became the first Irish athlete in over 40 years to hold both records simultaneously. That same year, she also set Irish national records in the 100m (11.28 seconds) and 200m (22.99 seconds). These marks were later surpassed by Rhasidat Adeleke, but they were a standard for Irish sprinting for years and were a source of inspiration for the present generation of sprinters. 

Healy, a gifted junior who reached the European U20 100m final in 2013, first captured national attention in 2016, when a video of her closing an 80-metre deficit on the final leg of a 4x400m relay at the Irish University Championships went viral, with the comeback widely regarded as one of the greatest in athletics history.

“Athletics has given me memories that I will cherish forever, friendships that will last a lifetime and opportunities I could only have dreamed of as a young girl joining Bandon AC.”

Phil Healy has brought the curtain down on her athletics career.https://t.co/JnSeZwJd1R

— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) June 23, 2026

She represented Ireland at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as the first female trio in her country to compete in three track events in a single Games. She took part in the 200m, 400m, and mixed 4x400m relay. That team progressed on to become the first Irish relay team to an Olympic final. Individually, her finest championship run came at the 2021 European Indoor Championships, where she finished fourth in the 400m, missing a medal by just 0.21 seconds. 

Healy’s records have since fallen. But some of her most memorable achievements came in the closing years of her career. As a key member of Ireland’s emerging relay team, she helped the country reach new heights on the international stage, all while dealing with a health condition that made competing at the highest level increasingly difficult.

Relay glory and a battle with illness defined her final years

Healy’s biggest contribution to Irish athletics came through the women’s 4x400m relay. In the European Championships in Rome in 2024, she was a part of the quartet which won silver in a then national record 3:22.71 — one of the greatest nights in Irish athletics history. 

The same quartet of Healy, Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Sharlene Mawdsley shattered that record again at the Paris Olympics several months later, clocking 3:19.90 but falling short of a bronze medal by just 0.18 seconds. On both occasions, Healy produced the quickest relay split of her career, including a 50.94-second third leg in the Olympic final.

That run came while Healy was managing Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition that severely restricted her training and recovery in her final competitive years. Even with the illness, she persisted in competing at the highest standard all the way to her last cap at the 2025 World Relays. 

Athletics Ireland President Bríd Golden paid tribute to Healy’s impact on the sport: “Over the past decade and more, Phil has been a trailblazer for sprinting in Ireland. Her achievements – from Olympic finals to European medals and national records – speak for themselves, but inspiring a generation to believe in what is possible on the world stage will be her lasting legacy.”

Healy made clear that her connection to the sport is far from over, even as her competitive career closes. “While my competitive career may be ending, my connection to sport will always remain strong. I look forward to supporting my teammates and watching athletics continue to thrive and grow both in Ireland and beyond,” she said.

She leaves behind not only her records but her influence on the current generations of Irish sprinters. Several of them have carried the torch and are now breaking the records she set.

The post Irish Sprinting Trailblazer Phil Healy Announces Retirement After 14 Years on the International Stage appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“It wasn’t exactly a blow, but the team had done two or three very good things before that moment,” Scaloni said in his post match press conference. “The penalty move was fantastic, and finishing it would have been even better. We felt that if we had scored, the game would have looked different. But the team responded once again.”

Because after Lionel Messi missed the penalty, Argentina did indeed respond. From the very get-go, the Albiceleste dominated possession and pressed Austria, trying to create something. After the missed penalty, the status quo of the game changed with momentum shifting towards Ralf Rangnick’s side instead. That was before the hydration break, which gave Scaloni a moment to tweak his team’s tactics.

The move worked, as within three minutes of the break, Messi produced a Messi-esque run. Dazzling, with fairy dust in his boots, as he bamboozled an experienced Austrian backline. One that contained Real Madrid’s David Alaba, Tottenham’s Kevin Danso, and Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer. Somehow, Austria managed to clear it off the goal-line, offering themselves a reprieve.

It didn’t last long, thirteen minutes to be exact. Another magical move, almost akin to an NBA-esque sequence with rapid, quick passing and Thiago Almada setting a screen. The young Argentine also dummied the ball, knowing that the man of the moment would be there to strike. And indeed he was, putting the finishing touches to a goal that deserved to be a record-breaking one.

Lionel Messi had his record, Argentina had their lead, and once again, Scaloni wasn’t surprised. If anything, he fully expected that to happen, even if Austria had improved after the hydration break.

“We created a few important actions after the penalty,” Scaloni explained. “There were some minutes where it seemed like nothing was happening, but that’s part of this team’s maturity. Missing a penalty hurts, but they know how to react. When Leo switches on, everyone switches on. That’s another merit of this team.”

5 – Lionel Messi yesterday was the oldest player (38 years, 363 days) on record since 1966 to record 5+ shots (7) and 5+ dribbles (5) in a FIFA World Cup match.

The previous oldest was… Lionel Messi in 2022 against Poland, aged 35.

Vintage. pic.twitter.com/5jIXhhLJLL

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026

The Argentine boss was right, and nothing proved that better than Messi and Argentina’s second goal. He would have gotten away with not following through on Julian Alvarez’s shot. It’s exactly why he scored, though, simply because nobody expected him, a man days off from his 39th birthday, to press a 1 in 10 chance of a goal. It meant that he truly owned the record on his own.

Nobody had scored more goals in World Cup finals (men or women) than Lionel Messi, with Marta (17) one behind him. However, while Messi’s brilliance ultimately decided it, Scaloni was quick to point towards another moment he felt proved decisive. The Argentina manager admitted that the hydration break gave his staff a rare opportunity to reset, adjust and influence a match.

Lionel Scaloni on the impact of hydration breaks

For fans in particular, the hydration break has proven to be a cumbersome invention. The same has applied to head coaches and players, although some do see it for what it can offer them. With FIFA having effectively stopped coaches from giving their players tactical instructions during stoppages, the break is their chance to tweak things.

And some have used them brilliantly, with Julian Naglesmann, Luis de la Fuente, and several other head coaches making key tweaks to help adjust their soccer teams. Lionel Scaloni is no stranger to it either, and the Argentine used it effectively during their clash against Algeria.

“Everything that I have in my mind can change depending on these 22, 23 minutes,” Scaloni told reporters before Argentina faced Austria.

“We have people analysing the game, and we look for solutions. It’s what you do in a normal halftime. It’s for those who want to attack because you can amend certain things. It’s weird to adapt to that. It’s something that, if we do it more, it will become normal. I don’t think this is normal to us yet.”

Yet for Scaloni, the missed penalty was never the turning point many assumed it would be. If anything, Argentina’s response after that moment, aided by a tactical reset and inspired by Lionel Messi’s brilliance, was exactly why the reigning world champions walked away with another statement win.

The post “Missing a Penalty Hurts”: Argentina’s Coach Explains How Lionel Messi’s Moment Fueled Team’s Response Against Austria appeared first on EssentiallySports.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, on Matchday 2, in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria to ensure qualification into the Round of 32, Lionel Messi broke four records. 

The first record was already in Messi’s possession before the tournament began. The former Barcelona star entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 26 appearances at the finals, one more than Germany legend Lothar Matthaus (25), giving him the outright record for most World Cup appearances among men. His games against Algeria — against whom he scored a hat-trick — and Austria only extended that mark, taking his tally to 28.

The second record fell 38 minutes later, with Messi at the heart of it, as he so often is. He collected a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, played it out wide, and began to jog forward. Meanwhile, his teammates sprinted into position, creating overloads, setting screens, and acting as decoys. As Facundo Medina charged down the left flank, Thiago Almada glanced over his shoulder and saw nothing but open grass ahead of him. By then, everyone watching knew what was about to happen.

Medina squared it expertly, Almada dummied, and there was Messi. It was a goal the world had seen countless times before, but this one carried greater significance. With the finish, the Argentine became the outright leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.

It was goal number 17 at the FIFA World Cup, moving him past German legend Miroslav Klose (16) and into sole possession of the record. But it wasn’t the final milestone of the night. That arrived two minutes before the final whistle, when Messi sparked a counterattack, exchanged passes with Julián Álvarez, and followed up his own blocked effort to score from the rebound.

The goal took Messi’s World Cup tally to 18. He now has the most FIFA World Cup Finals goals out of any player, although France’s Kylian Mbappe isn’t too far behind, with his brace against Iraq on Monday taking him to 16 goals. Records 3 and 4, however, are ones that Mbappe remains slightly farther behind.

After referee Amin Mohamed Omar blew for full-time, Messi added two more milestones, becoming the player with the most minutes played at the FIFA World Cup (2489) and most matches won (18). This came in his sixth World Cup, whereas Mbappe, in his third, has amassed 1310 minutes and secured 11 victories.

Messi LITERALLY rewriting record books pic.twitter.com/7q0vmlyoRK

— ESPN (@espn) June 22, 2026

All in all, it was a euphoric night for Messi, his fans, and Argentine soccer as a whole. Argentina is now guaranteed to finish top of Group J and can approach its final group-stage encounter against Jordan on Saturday with a little less pressure. Their objective remains unchanged: keep winning and take another step toward defending their World Cup crown. If Messi happens to add a few more records along the way, that will be an added — and very welcome — bonus.

However, the four records recognized by Guinness World Records were only part of the story. Across Argentina’s opening two matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi set, equalled, or extended a host of records, further strengthening his case as the greatest player the game has ever seen.

More records set or broken by Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup

Now the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, there is little left for Messi to prove on the sport’s biggest stage. Yet the records kept coming against Austria. In addition to moving past Klose at the top of the scoring charts, the Argentine also became just the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup appearances. That is as per OptaJoe, soccer’s official stats keeper.

The last two players to achieve that feat were Jairzinho in 1970 and Just Fontaine in 1958, two icons of the game in their own right. Messi also strengthened his position among the oldest goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history. Having already become the third-oldest player to score at the tournament with his hat trick against Algeria, the Argentine added two more goals against Austria to extend that mark. Only Roger Milla and Pepe remain ahead of him on the all-time list. And there’s more.

He is the second player to score his nation’s first five goals at a single World Cup, with Oleg Salenko being the first to do so for Russia in 1994. Messi also recorded the most touches of the ball (71), making him the oldest player on record to register 50+ touches in a World Cup match. Not all of them were memorable, however, as he also became the player with the most penalties taken (7) and missed (3) in World Cup history.

That does exclude penalty shootouts, though, and all of this came on Matchday 2. On Matchday 1, Messi became the oldest player to score a hat trick at a FIFA World Cup. He broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s record (33y 130d) when he found the net against Algeria at the age of 38y 357d. He is also the second player, after Ronaldo, to score at five World Cups and is tied with Rivellino for the most goals scored from outside the box (5) in World Cup history.

There are many more records besides those. Messi also became the first South American to make 200 international appearances and only the third player overall to reach that milestone. Perhaps more than anything, that speaks to the longevity of his career.

The scary part for everyone else is that the tournament is only two games old. If the opening week is anything to go by, Messi may not be done rewriting the record books just yet.

The post Lionel Messi Extends His World Cup Legacy With Remarkable Record-Breaking Display appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I think he’s come in, and he’s really wanted to understand it from the players’ point of view, what it means and what it feels like to be American,” Balogun shared with USA Today Sports on June 22.

“He’s always asking questions. He might be watching a basketball game or something, and he’s intrigued, and he wants to learn more. And I feel like that gives us confidence as players, just that he’s really on board with what we’re doing.”

Balogun’s comments reflect an approach Pochettino has publicly embraced since taking over the national team.

Rather than arriving with fixed ideas about American soccer, the Argentine coach has repeatedly spoken about the importance of understanding the country’s football culture and learning what representing the United States means to his players.

That curiosity has extended beyond the pitch. As Balogun noted, Pochettino often asks questions about American sports and culture, using those conversations to better understand the backgrounds and experiences of the squad he inherited. The effort has been noticeable enough that players have repeatedly pointed to it as one of the reasons they have bought into his leadership.

His actions have mirrored those words. During the build-up to the World Cup, Pochettino cast an unusually wide net in evaluating the player pool, giving opportunities to more than 80 players across camps and competitions. Rather than settling quickly on a core group, he spent much of his first two years learning about the personalities, strengths and motivations of the talent available to him before finalizing his 26-man World Cup roster.

Pochettino has also embraced the broader significance of coaching the United States at a home World Cup. Earlier this year, he described the opportunity as part of his own “American dream,” a reflection of how deeply he has invested in the project despite arriving from a career spent almost entirely in European club football.

With clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, he managed some of the biggest names in world football, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar. Yet despite his experience at the highest club level, he arrived in the United States without ever coaching a national team.

Things didn’t go so smoothly on the way to the World Cup. In the months leading up to the tournament, Pochettino tried many different options. He gave opportunities to over 80 players and experimented with some in the formation of his final 26-man squad. With frequent changes came the doubt around the squad’s identity, particularly with the poor performances in games such as the Nations League and Gold Cup.

In retrospect, however, it was an experiment that was worthwhile. Gradually, Mauricio Pochettino found himself the team’s centre and the basis on which he could rely most trusted and and the team began to develop a clearer structure and a more direct attacking style. Much of that progress is now visible on the World Cup stage.

The Stars and Stripes opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. They followed it with a 2-0 win over Australia. It is one of their strongest starts since 1930. Earlier this year, Mauricio Pochettino said, “We want to win the World Cup, we are winners.” And it seems they might be. Now, after two wins, the US coach faces one of his biggest tests of the tournament.

Yellow card concerns leave Mauricio Pochettino with tough choices

The USMNT has already secured top spot in Group D, guaranteeing a place in the Round of 32 and clinching first place in a World Cup group for the first time since 2010. And now attention turns to Thursday’s game against Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium. However, before that, Mauricio Pochettino has a big decision to make. He’s going to have to decide whether he wants to rest big names or stick with his best to maintain the momentum.

Several members of the team are on a tight rope walk. Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson are all carrying yellow cards. This means another booking would rule them out of the knockout-stage opener. Losing any of those players for the Round of 32 would be a big setback, especially given the roles they have played in the team’s impressive start.

That situation could force Mauricio Pochettino into making several changes. If Balogun, currently the team’s leading scorer at the tournament, is rested, Ricardo Pepi is expected to lead the line. Defensively, Auston Trusty could come into central defense, while Max Arfsten may feature on the left side. In midfield, Cristian Roldan could partner Sebastian Berhalter in a deeper role.

Right now, Mauricio Pochettino needs to make a call. Yet every decision carries weight. Rest too many players, and the team risks losing momentum. Play too many regular starters, and the danger of suspension or injury grows.

The post US Soccer Star Reveals How Non-American Coach Mauricio Pochettino Is Helping Them Win at FIFA World Cup 2026 appeared first on EssentiallySports.

On June 22, Inside Gymnastics Magazine added fuel to the speculation by sharing her earlier words: “My plan is to continue to train for the LA 2028 Olympics. It would be such an honour to represent the U.S. at a home Olympics.” These comments were made after her withdrawal from the 2024 U.S. Championships due to an ankle injury.

However, Douglas’ comeback is not officially confirmed, and she has not shared much of her training on social media. In fact, the last notable clip came in January 2025, when she posted a beam training moment on Instagram. Since then, there has been very little seen of her preparation, but the question arises: Is her comeback really possible?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Inside Gymnastics Magazine (@insidegym)

By the time LA 2028 arrives, Douglas will be 31. It is not impossible, but it is rare in women’s gymnastics, especially after a long break and injury setbacks. Still, she has shown excitement about the Games being held in the United States, saying in 2024, “I’m super excited for the Games to come to my hometown. I love California. It’s beautiful. The Olympics hasn’t been hosted in the U.S. for a very long time.”

Douglas is no stranger to Olympic glory either. She was the first black gymnast to capture all-around gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and a member of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning teams. However, as speculations about her return grow, opinions are far from unanimous.

Fans split as Gabby Douglas’ comeback journey sparks debate after 2024 return

“Yes ma’am, gymnastics royalty back for another run. Go Gabby,” one added. Another added, “If she LOCKS in, she had a great shot because the skills she has are very current and needed! She could be very useful for Team USA!”

The reaction isn’t simply emotional, as Gabby Douglas, when healthy, has won multiple Olympic gold medals. Even after her long 8-year break, the gold medalist’s routines in 2024 were clean. In her first comeback event at the American Classic in 2024, she finished 10th in the all-around with a total of 50.65. While that may not sound incredibly impressive, there were still moments that stood out, like her 14.00 on vault and 13.35 on the balance beam.

Gabby Douglas herself said, “I proved to myself and to the sport that my skills remain at an elite level.” The 31-year-old’s career success, and just on the Olympic stage, is also why fans still talk about her potential return. Douglas is a two-time World Championships team gold medallist from 2011 (Tokyo) and 2015 (Glasgow), where she also won an individual all-around silver.

Even her earlier journey shows the same pattern of resilience. In 2009, she suffered a knee injury during a floor routine at the U.S. Championships. Instead of stopping completely, she adjusted and competed only on select events like beam and floor, and managed a 5th-place finish on balance beam.

However, not everyone believes it will be easy. A fan added, “too old to compete in the Olympics.” Another wrote, “She needs to learn when to quit.” It’s a genuine concern as most elite gymnasts retire before reaching their mid-20s due to the strain it places on the body, with the majority peaking between the ages of 16 and 22. However, there are exceptions. Oksana Chusovitina appeared in a total of eight Olympic Games from 1992 to 2021 and attempted to qualify for Paris.

Even more recently, Simone Biles made history at Paris 2024. She won three gold medals, including becoming the first female to win all-around gold at 27.  However, after the achievement, Biles spoke openly about the physical strain she felt during the Games and how recovery took longer at that stage of her career. It may be one of the reasons why Biles hasn’t confirmed that she’ll compete at LA 2028.

However, some remain hopeful. “I hope she starts competing next year… be more prepared than she was for 2024,” read one comment. The 2024 comeback proved to be a real challenge for Douglas. At the Core Hydration Classic (May 18, 2024) Douglas fell twice on the uneven bars in her first rotation. Following this, she pulled out of the rest of her competition and ended her stay at the event.

So, while the Olympic medalist’s 2024 statement may have stirred up the conversation, fans will have to wait and see if she actually comes back.

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The quartet will also be joined by Emmanuel Eseme, Jeremiah Azu, Jordan Anthony, and Olympic gold medalist Lamont Marcell Jacobs. All eyes will be on Lyles, especially after the 28-year-old’s recent outings. Despite the late start to his 2026 outdoor season because of his wedding in April, Lyles has won all six races he has participated in. That includes a big Diamond League win in Rome as he flew to the finishing line, stopping the clock with 9.88. It marked his best time in the 100m since winning Olympic gold with 9.79.

In fact, Noah Lyles sent a message to his rivals ahead of the upcoming race on June 28, setting a new world record in the 150m at the Ostrava Golden Spike. Lyles clocked in at 14.67 seconds on June 16, beating Sinesipho Dambile (14.78) and 18-year-old sensation Gout Gout (14.96) for the record. However, he isn’t the only one coming off a big win, as Akani Simbine beat Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala at the FKB Games 100m final. The 30-year-old lost in the final, finishing fifth behind the South African, clocking his worst time of the season at 10.13. Meanwhile, Simbine registered 10.08.

It wasn’t the result Omanyala expected after qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. The 30-year-old was on a streak, winning his previous three races and finishing second in the Shanghai DL before dropping to 8th in Rome. However, in comparison to his 2025 season, his 2026 season is already looking up. Especially given the fact that he bore zero sub-10s in 2025 and has already registered five of them this season. Besides Simbine and Omnayala, Trayvon Bromell is also looking to hand Lyles a big loss in Paris and enters the Diamond League in fine form.

Men’s 100m startlist – Paris Diamond League

​ Noah Lyles
Jordan Anthony
Emmanuel Eseme
Trayvon Bromell
Akani Simbine
Lamont Marcell Jacobs
Ferdinand Omanyala
Jeremiah Azu

– ​June 28th

— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) June 22, 2026

The American recently won the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix in June, clocking 9.85 seconds in the 100m. It’s his fastest time since he registered 9.84 at the USA Championships in 2025, and he is entering the French capital with a better time than either Simbine or Omnayala. Other than the prime contenders for the Paris DL title, Jodan Anthony is also in decent form. The American sprinter finished fifth at the Golden Spike in the 100m event in the Czech Republic, where Lyles set the 150m record. 

Yet, despite all the intrigue surrounding the challengers, the Paris Diamond League remains a venue of special significance for Lyles.

Noah Lyles reflected on competing in Paris

Few athletes have done as well as Noah Lyles has, especially when it comes to racing in Paris. The American has run only four times in the French and walked away with a medal every time he’s made it to the final of any event. Besides winning the 100m Diamond League race in 2023, winning gold in the 100m and bronze in the 200m at the Paris Olympics, he has another Diamond League gold medal from 2019. That year, the 28-year-old won the Paris Diamond League 200m race, clocking 19.65 in late August.

Noah Lyles spoke about his experience of racing in Paris in March 2026, when he added the Paris Diamond League and Tokyo’s Golden Grand Prix on his calendar.

“I’ve been to Paris on three previous occasions, and I have fond memories of all of them,” Lyles said, according to the Diamond League’s official website. “The atmosphere at the Stade de France two years ago was simply incredible. I still remember the furore of the crowds in the stands; it was crazy! Given that I’ve won each time I’ve competed at the Charléty, I just love this venue. I’m sure my run will be fast, very fast!”

Lyles has proven that he meant what he said in March with his most recent outing. Whether being very fast will be enough to beat the challengers on the field on June 28 remains to be seen. However, Noah Lyles arrives in Paris with momentum and confidence, and is clearly the favorite to win gold.

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That name is 20-year-old NCAA champion Adaejah Hodge, who is now in the women’s 100m lineup for her debut appearance at the Prefontaine Classic on July 4. She’s still a collegiate student at the University of Georgia, and, hasn’t gone pro yet, but it’s a big chance for her to prove herself against the greatest in the world on a big stage.

Hodge is coming into Eugene with a stellar NCAA performance during the 2026 D-1 Outdoor Championship.  She won the women’s 200m title in 21.68 seconds and, in doing so, she set a new NCAA collegiate record. In the same championship, she finished second in the 100m final with 10.93 seconds. In the 100m prelims, she clocked 10.63, breaking Sha’Carri Richardson’s collegiate record.

But Hodge’s path to Eugene was anything but smooth. Before this breakout season, Hodge served a 17-month suspension from August 2024 to January 2026 after testing positive for metabolites of GW501516. This violation was in the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, where she earned silver in the 100m and gold in the 200m. After the ban, she has gradually started to regain her form and stepped right back into the top-level competitions.

NCAA 200m Champion, Adaejah Hodge has been added to the 100m field for the Prefontaine Classic. Olympic Champion, Julien Alfred has scratched.

— Kemal (@kemal_e_forde) June 22, 2026

Before Hodge, Sha’Carri Richardson held the record at the collegiate level after running 10.75 seconds in the 100m final at the 2019 NCAA Championships. Hodge’s recent times have pushed her as the fifth-fastest woman in the world over 100m all-time.

Now the Prefontaine Classic provides her with another major boost. It is her first time on this stage, and she will line up against some of the biggest names in women’s sprinting. The question now is how far she can go against them.

World Champions stand in Adaejah Hodge’s way at Prefontaine Classic

The women’s 100m is one of the season’s most heavily loaded events at the Prefontaine Classic. Dina Asher-Smith, Brittany Brown, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, Tamari Davis, Amy Hunt, Shericka Jackson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Gémima Joseph, Brianna Lyston, Jenna Prandini, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jonielle Smith, Cambrea Sturgis, Patrizia Van Der Weken, Kayla White, and Adaejah Hodge are all on the list.

The biggest threat to Adaejah Hodge would come from the toughest opponents around who are coming in with the real pep: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. She became the first American woman to win both the 100m and 200m at the same World Championships (2025), plus relay gold. . She has started 2026 just as sharply by opening with a 10.84-second win in Stockholm.

Shericka Jackson will also test her. The Jamaican star has Olympic medals in the 100m, 200m, and relays, plus world titles in the 200m from 2022 and 2023. She has already shown form this year, too, running 10.81 to win the Jamaican national 100m title and posting a strong 21.87 in Xiamen.

Then there is Sha’Carri Richardson, one of the biggest names in the sport. A World 100m champion and Olympic medalist, she remains a constant threat whenever she lines up. In 2026, she has already shown speed with a 10.77 run in Florida and a 10.99 in the LA Grand Prix.

Amy Hunt is another name rising fast. After Olympic relay silver at Paris 2024, she has continued to improve, dipping under 11 seconds with a 10.97 personal best in 2026 and looking more confident with every race. With that kind of depth, there is no easy lane in this race. Every athlete on the list has something to prove, and every start matters.

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“Sha’Carri ran a wind legal 10.77 and some are not impressed ,” Vance Johnson wrote on X. “I think people have forgotten the level of talent Sha’Carri has. Track athlete run a good time and people are like it’s just a 10.7 , now if she run that in China then I will believe .  A wind legal 10.7 is a 10.7 no matter where you run it at….” That is her quickest time in the 100m since June 2024 (10.71). 

Only Adaejah Hodge has run faster in 2026 — the 20-year-old clocked 10.63 in early June, breaking the collegiate record and taking over fifth place on the all-time list for the 100m. It means that in the history of women’s 100m, only four have ever gone faster than Hodge. 

But that collegiate record belonged to Richardson herself — she ran 10.75 at LSU in 2019. After that, the Olympian only broke sub-10.80 once in 2020 (10.79 in July). 2021 was her breakthrough: three sub-10.80 runs, including 10.72 at Miramar and 10.77 at Olympic Trials.

However, her biological mother’s death affected her, and officials suspended Richardson from the 2021 Olympics after a positive test for a banned substance. It meant that 2022 was a rough year, but she powered through. By 2023, she had recovered to break sub-10.80 five times. That included two Diamond League meets, the USA Championships, and the World Athletic Championships.

She won all those meets, including the 2023 World Championships (10.65). Since then, she’s struggled — breaking sub-10.80 just once. In fact, throughout 2025, she only broke sub-11 once, marking a tough season for the American.

Not quite what she expected either, and it’s also why one X user replied to Johnson with, “She hasn’t been very consistent the last year or two. Fas time today, slow time tomorrow. Melissa, S Shelly and Sherica are consistent.” They aren’t wrong, as the evidence does show that while capable, Richardson is far from consistent.

Sha’Carri ran a wind legal 10.77 and some are not impressed . I think people have forgotten the level of talent Sha’Carri has. Track athlete run a good time and people are like it’s just a 10.7 , now if she run that in China then I will believe . A wind legal 10.7…

— Vance Johnson-TexasTrackDad Podcast (@TexasTrackDad) June 21, 2026

Another user wrote, “We know she can run 10.4. Why should we be impressed?” The user is likely referring to Richardson’s 10.57 in 2023, albeit with a +4.1 wind at the Miramar Invitational. That is by far her fastest time and one of only two times in her career that she has broken sub-10.70.

Even then, whether critics believe it or not, Richardson has been talking about a turnaround for months. In fact, before the season began, she boldly predicted that 2026 would be remembered as something ‘legendary’.

Sha’Carri Richardson prophesies ‘legendary’ season

People have not expected much from Richardson’s 2026 season, given how poorly 2025 went. However, so far, the American sprinter has certainly earned her fair share of plaudits. She began the season late after off-field issues, but started strong by winning the Stawell Gift before arriving at the Diamond League.

Things didn’t quite go to plan as Richardson finished fourth in back-to-back DL 200m meets, but has since put that behind her. In fact, since her Xiamen loss, the 26-year-old has won all three of her races, albeit in the 100m. That includes the USATF LA Grand Prix and the Star Athletics Sprint Series, which goes according to the prophecy she set for herself.

“Honestly, for myself, I’m super excited for this season because I have a feeling that it’s going to be something legendary — not legendary just on the track, but legendary as the woman that I’m designed to be,” Richardson said, as per Olympics.com.

“I’m super excited to take on the challenge to do that in front of the world… and stand firm in everything that I know I have been working on.”

Whether that 10.77 is enough to silence the doubters remains to be seen. However, it has already reminded the track world of the level Richardson can reach. And if her recent form is any indication, the season she promised would be “legendary” may finally be taking shape. 

The post Sha’Carri Richardson’s Fastest Run In Two Years Sparks Debate Among Track Fans: “Ran A Wind Legal” appeared first on EssentiallySports.