The list of scratching out continues in the upcoming Prefontaine Classic 2024. The contest is already brewing with fanfare as reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah makes her season debut through the competition. But among such a huge entry, the 200-meter men’s event will miss American phenom Erriyon Knighton, as the sprinter has scratched out. Now, as per the updated list on the Prefontaine Classic website, the American squad will comprise Kenneth Bednarek, Jeremiah Curry, Kyree King, and Courtney Lindsey. 

Previously, Athing Mu, the 800-meter track and field sensation in the women’s category, bowed out from the Prefontaine Classic. Though Erriyon Knighton has already participated in one 200-meter sprinting contest this year, Athing Mu has yet to take the ground.

Among other notable names, Letsile Tebogo, Rai Benjamin, Keni Harrison, and Raevyn Rogers followed the trend while missing the Hayward Field competition set on May 25. The absence of such names on the field will surely have an impact. However, as of now, Erriyon Knighton’s continuous absence is raising a lot of questions. 

This year, the 20-year-old American sprinter appeared in one indoor 200-meter track in Arena Stade Couvert in France. Spearheading that event in February, Erriyon’s next contest was set in Florida. There, in the 4x100m relay category, he registered the world-leading 37.67-second clocking pairing with PJ Austin, Grant Holloway, and Joseph Fahnbulleh. But since that affair in March, Erriyon Knighton has been continuing to bow out from the contests. 

Last week, he was set to huddle in the Atlanta City Games in Piedmont Park. But the outcome was the same, as he had scratched out from that competition as well. Meanwhile, in his absence, the Prefontaine Classic has named Ian Kerr as the replacement. As the current update goes, Erriyon Knighton has yet to update on the reason for his continuing absence. Furthermore, his next event has not been finalized so far. Would such an approach not affect the stature he has built-in track and field? Well, the Olympian has a lot to say in his process. 

Erriyon Knighton believes in the processes 

Since Noah Lyles pipped him from the medal prospect in the 200m event at the Tokyo Olympics, a lot has changed in Erriyon Knighton’s life. The sprinter has learned to believe the process. In the post-Tokyo period, his comet-like exuberance in the 200m events has earned him a lot of accolades. But Erriyon wants to keep his feet on the ground. 

So when it comes to breaking world records or taking the rivalry with names like Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo to a different level, the former world championship medalist shows his confidence in the concept of a slow but steady process. 

“They were expecting me to break the world record when I was 19, 20, but in reality it’s just not like that. I’m just not at the point where I’m at my best but I’m getting better – when I reach my best, then we can talk about the world records,” he asserted. Currently, he is honing his expertise under the careful watch of Mike Holloway, the University of Florida track and field HC. Holloway has the rare achievement where his coaching brought up medals in both NCAA and elite levels. Moreover, Grant Holloway, the prominent 110m hurdler, is also in the same training camp, eyeing the Paris Olympics. Therefore, it can be expected that Erriyon Knighton is in the best hands. Now, as far as his next race is concerned, only time will answer.