# Lavreysen sets new world record for 200m in Olympic qualifying

*By Simon | August 7, 2024*

![Lavreysen sets new world record for 200m in Olympic qualifying](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/ES021115.jpg)

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## 󠀁[Lavreysen sets new world record for 200m in Olympic qualifying](https://globalkeirin.com/2024/08/lavreysen-sets-new-world-record-for-200m-in-olympic-sprint-qualifying/)󠁿

7 August 2024

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.

![Paris 2024 Olympic Games](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/ES020998.jpg)

_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.

**Categories:** Original
**Tags:** paris2024