The 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene served up thrilling performances and breakout moments, but it also laid bare the disappointments of some of America’s biggest names in track and field. As athletes fought for spots on the World Championships team heading to Tokyo, a few notable stars fell well short of expectations.
Trayvon Bromell entered the 100m final as one of the season’s top contenders, having recently clocked a world-leading 9.84 seconds in Rome and an impressive 9.94 at the Prefontaine Classic. Yet despite his form, Bromell could only manage fourth place in Eugene, finishing with a time of 9.85 secondsj ust shy of the top three cutoff. It was a crushing blow for an athlete who has worked hard to overcome past injuries. He now pins his hopes on making the 4x100m relay squad.
Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion and current 60m world record holder, continued to struggle in 2025. While his fifth-place finish in the 100m wasn’t a complete shock, it underscored his season-long decline. Clocking a season-best 9.86 seconds was a small consolation for a sprinter who once dominated the global stage. Like Bromell, Coleman will now aim for a relay spot.
Sha’Carri Richardson had already secured her place in Tokyo for the 100m as the reigning world champion. However, she attempted to double up by qualifying in the 200m, only to falter early. A fourth-place finish in her heat ended her bid. Her performance came amid a turbulent week following her arrest over an altercation involving teammate Christian Coleman an incident that likely affected her mental focus and performance.
Brittany Brown also failed to live up to expectations. Once seen as a rising rival to Gabby Thomas, Brown was edged out in a competitive 200m final, finishing behind Thomas, who sealed third with 22.20 seconds. Brown’s comeback from endometriosis surgery showed promise, but not enough to secure a World Championships berth.
Middle-distance star Athing Mu-Nikolayev had hoped to bounce back after injuries plagued her post-Olympic run. Despite running a season-best 1:59.79 in the 800m, she failed to reach the final. It’s another frustrating chapter in her injury-hit career.
As the USATF Championships revealed, even the brightest stars can stumble. For these five athletes, redemption will have to wait.
