Lavreysen sets new world record for 200m in Olympic qualifying

Lavreysen celebrates his new world record (Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

Three riders beat the existing Olympic record, and two beat the world record, as the male sprinters laid down some amazing times during Wednesday’s Flying 200 qualifying session for the match sprint competition.

But the UCI record book (er… is there still an actual book?) will show that only Harrie Lavreysen set a new world record today.

Going into today’s session, the world record stood at 9.100 seconds, set by Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul at altitude, during the Pan American Championships in 2019. The Olympic record was held by Jeffrey Hoogland of the Netherlands, 9.215 seconds set at the Tokyo games in 2021.

Rumours have been circulating that multiple riders had gone under 9.2 in practice sessions; and there have even been suggestions that Lavreysen had recorded a sub-9 second time. With numerous record-breaking performances in the women’s team sprint the previous day, there were expectations of some special times.

Israel’s Mikhail Yakovlev was the first to beat Hoogland’s Olympic record, with a 9.152.

Nicholas Paul went next, but his 9.371 was well off the pace.

Then Matthew Richardson of Australia posted a 9.091, becoming the first man ever to beat 9.1 seconds in competition. A new world record? Well… we’ll come to that.

Richardson sets up for a 9.091. Ed Sykes/SWpix.com

Poland’s Mateusz Rudyk and GB’s Jack Carlin were next, both setting what we believe to be new national records, but barely earning a mention today. Hoogland’s 9.293 would only be good enough for sixth overall.

The last man out was his Dutch team sprint partner, Harrie Lavreysen. If anyone could break 9 seconds, it was him. Viewers held their breath as he rushed down the home straight – and it was a strange mix of wonder and disappointment to see him only (only!) post a 9.088.

But sadly for Richo, his world record-beating time will not be shown in the official list. UCI rule 3.5.020 states that ‘a record beaten the same day shall not be confirmed’ – so Lavreysen is the only one who will be credited with having set a new world record today.

The women’s flying 200 session takes place early on Friday afternoon. The men weren’t able to break their 9 second barrier… can a woman go under 10 for the first time? We can’t wait to watch and find out.