STAR predictions

ALL IS SET FOR track and field action at the Paris Olympic Games as Jamaican athletes go in search of medals. Once again THE WEEKEND STAR makes its medal projections by predicting the top three finishers in several events.

Women's 100m

A new champion will be crowned, with double sprint double champion Elaine Thompson Herah absent. Jamaicans have won gold at the last four Olympic Games, but this looks likely to end with the late withdrawal of World Championships silver medallist Shericka Jackson.

With a leading time of 10.71 seconds, the fastest in the event this season, World champion Sha'Carri Richardson of the United States (US) is a safe bet to win. St Lucia's Julien Alfred, with a season best 10.78 seconds, should get the silver, while there should be a toss up for bronze, between, Melissa Jefferson of the US, Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain and Tia Clayton of Jamaica

1. Sha'Carri Richardson

2.Julien Alfred

3. Melissa Jefferson

Men's 100m

Only a brave man would bet against Jamaica's Kishane Thompson, the world leader with 9.77 seconds. He is yet to hit top gear and could do something very special, as he looks set to lower the colours of World champion Noah Lyles of the US. Lyles, with a season and personal best 9.81, will be in a tight battle for silver with Jamaica's Oblique Seville, whose season and personal best is 9.82.

1. Kishane Thompson

2. Noah Lyles

3. Oblique Seville

Women's triple jump

With World and defending champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela out, any number can play as Jamaica's Shanieka Ricketts will be hoping to improve on her season best 14.67 metres and go better than her fourth-place finish in Tokyo.

1. Maryna Bekh Romanchuk (Ukraine)

2. Leyanis Perez Hernandez (Cuba)

3 Thea Lafond (Dominica)

Men's triple Jump

1. Jordan Diaz Fortun (Spain)

2. Pedro Pichardo (Portugal)

3. Jordan Hibbert (Jamaica)

Men's long jump

1.Miltiadis Tantaglou (Greece)

2. Simon Ethammer (Switzerland)

3. Carey McLeod (Jamaica)

Women's 100m hurdles

This will undoubtedly be the most competitive track event of the Olympics. A bang-up finish is expected, where any number can play. This has not been an event for favourites at global competitions over the years. Young turks like the US' Massai Russell, the world leader with 12.25 seconds, Ackera Nugent of Jamaica with a best of 12.28 and Grace Stark, 12.31, of the US, will take on the veterans, defending champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, World champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica and home girl Cyrene Samba-Mayela, in what is expected to be a thriller. A very slight edge is given to the defending champion Camacho Quinn.

1. Jasmine Camacho Quinn

2. Tobi Amusan

3. Ackera Nugent

Men's 110m hurdles

The US, led by Grant Holloway, will be hoping for a sweep as their three athletes have gone sub-13 seconds this season with World champion Holloway leading with 12.86, ahead of Freddie Crittenden 12.93 and Daniel Roberts 12.98.

Jamaica's duo of Hansle Parchment, the defending champion and Rasheed Broadbell will be coming to spoil the American party, but both have been struggling with injuries this season and will have to improve big time on their season bests of 13.19 and 13.18 if they are to deny the US sweep.

1. Grant Holloway

2. Daniel Roberts

3. Freddie Crittenden

Women's 400m hurdles

No stopping American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. She should lower her world record of 50.65 seconds, and could become the first female to go sub-50 seconds in the event. Femke Bol of the Netherlands looks a safe bet for silver, while it will be a three-way fight for bronze between Jamaica's Rushell Clayton and the US duo of Anna Cockrell and Jasmine Jones, who have all gone sub-53 seconds.

1. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

2. Femke Bol

3. Rushell Clayton

Men's 400m hurdles

The three medallists from Tokyo are back, in defending champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway, Rai Benjamin of the US and Alison dos Santos of Brazil. Benjamin, the world leader with 46.46 seconds scored a psychological win over both his rivals at the Monaco Diamond League meet and looks set to take home his first major prize. Jamaicans Malik James King and Roshawn Clarke are expected to be among the finalists.

1. Rai Benjamin

2. Karsten Warholm

3. Alison Dos Santos