Paris 2024: Injury robs Louis of second sprint chance

By Patrick Johnston

Singapore’s fastest man Marc Brian Louis made it through the preliminary round stages of the men’s 100 metre sprint on Saturday, clocking a time of 10.43 seconds.

That put him through to the first round, which took place later on Saturday morning at the Stade de France, and featured the elite of world sprinting. However, Marc was unable to make the start line after sustaining an injury in his opening run.

“I feel sad and happy because it was my first race in the Olympics and not being able to continue the heats, I’m sad,” the 21-year-old said. “I think it's for the best.

“Right after my run, I felt some discomfort, so I tried to go back to the warm up area to see how bad it was and did some runs, and we decided not to risk it.”

Marc Brian Louis races down lane four in the opening heat of the preliminary round of the men’s 100 metre sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

It was a disappointing ending to a debut Olympic campaign for the national record holder in men’s 60 and 100 metre sprints.

He was drawn in the first of seven heats in the preliminary round of the men’s sprint, needing a top two position to make it through.

Marc finished third, just 0.01 second off Malaysian Muhd Azeem Fahmi in second place in a heat won by Ebrahima Camara of Gambia. However, Marc’s time was one of the next four fastest, meaning he also made it through to the first round.

“After my race, I stayed back to watch a few of the other 100m to see if I qualified, and then when I went back to the warmup area, I found out that I had actually qualified. I was happy,” he said. 

Marc, who set the national record of 10.27 at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, was drawn in heat five of the first round, alongside reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy, but didn’t make the line.

“My coach said I was going to run with Marcell Jacobs but then the leg, ugh, I couldn't run with Marcell.”

Marc Brian Louis looks up at the results on the big screen after finishing third in the opening heat of the preliminary round of the men’s 100 metre sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

Marc, who was handed a universality spot to compete by World Athletics, said he would return to competition next year, but already had an eye on the next Games.

“It’s a wonderful experience. I’m planning to race in Los Angeles 2028 so I'm excited for that and I'm going to do my best to be on form and qualify for the Games.”

In the women’s 100 metre sprint on Friday, Shanti Pereira recorded a time of 11.63 seconds in her first round heat. 

The 27-year-old, who was Singapore’s joint flag bearer with sailor Ryan Lo at the opening ceremony in Paris, finished 55th across the heats to miss out on a semi-final spot.

Pereira will run again in the 200 metre heats on Sunday.

“We came into this 100m particularly to really prep for the 200m,” she said. “Wish it was a better time. It is what it is.”

Shanti Pereira, centre, sprints down lane eight during her heat of the women’s 100 metre sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Jeremy Lee

Last year, Shanti won Singapore's first athletics medals at the Asian Games since 1974, with gold in the 200m and silver in the 100m in Hangzhou.

This is her second Olympic appearance after running in Tokyo, three years ago.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.