By Chris Chavez
January 23, 2025
Marcell Jacobs, the 100m Olympic champion in Tokyo and 2022 World Indoor 60m champion, will race Trayvon Bromell, the 2022 100m World Championship silver medalist and 2016 World Indoor 60m champion, at the Millrose Games on Feb. 8th in New York City’s The Armory Track and Field Center.
“I’m really excited to compete at the Millrose Games for the first time because it’s such an iconic event with a rich history,” Jacobs tells CITIUS MAG. “It’s an incredible opportunity to compete against the best athletes on such a prestigious stage. I’m looking forward to testing myself and delivering a great performance in front of such an enthusiastic crowd.”
Here’s what you need to know:
– In 2024, Jacobs skipped the indoor season to focus on his first full year working with coach Rana Reider. He progressed well throughout the outdoor season and won gold in the 100m at the European Championships in Rome before going on to take fifth in the Paris Olympics final. His 9.85 in the Olympic final was his fastest since the Tokyo Olympics.
– Bromell is coming off an injury-plagued year that forced him to miss the U.S. Olympic Trials due to an adductor injury that he sustained in May. Bromell was also training under Reider until making a decision to part ways with the coach and relocate to Waco, Texas. He has joined the Baylor Bears coaching staff as a volunteer assistant and reunited with coach Michael Ford.
In December, Bromell shared a video on Instagram saying: “I haven't taken indoors seriously since 2016. 2025 my goal is to make this team and bring back another title! Looking forward to the grind and the challenge.”
– Jacobs owns a 60m personal best of 6.41 from the 2022 World Indoor Championships, which is the European record and tied for No. 4 on the all-time list.
– Bromell owns a 60m personal best of 6.42 from the 2023 indoor season, which is tied for No. 6 on the all-time list.
– Jacobs will also race the 60m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Feb. 2 in Boston, where he will race 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles.
– This will be Jacobs’ first time competing at the Millrose Games. Bromell last competed in the 60m at the Millrose Games in 2022 and finished second in 6.50.
– Also confirmed for the race is 2023 World Championship 100m bronze medalist Zharnel Hughes. This will be his second career indoor race after he makes his debut in the 60m in Boston the previous week. He has a personal best of 6.45 from an outdoor 60m in Kingston, Jamaica in 2023.
– The rest of the field for the Millrose Games’ 60m is comprised of: 2023 U.S. Indoor 60m champion J.T. Smith, Japan’s Hakim Sani Brown, Jamaica’s Ryeim Ford, Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati and former Florida Gators star PJai Austin.
Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto
CITIUS MAG corresponded with Marcell Jacobs via e-mail for a few questions ahead of the 2025 season. The following has been edited lightly for clarity.
When you look back at 2024, how do you feel about how the year panned out?
“Looking back at 2024, I feel proud of what I accomplished. It was a year of challenges, but also a year of growth. The highs, like competing at the Olympics, taught me a lot about my abilities and resilience. Overall, it’s a year that has fueled my motivation for what’s ahead.”
What are the immediate goals for 2025 on the track?
“My immediate goals for 2025 include performing well at the European Indoor Championships and building a strong foundation for the outdoor season. Consistency and improvement in every race are my priorities and I’m aiming to peak at the right moments, just as I did in 2024.”
Running 9.85 at the Paris Olympic final was impressive to peak at the right time. What were the lessons that you took away from that race and how it played out?
“That race taught me the importance of timing and trust in my preparation. Everything came together at the right moment because I remained patient and focused throughout the season. It strengthen the idea that mental force and confidence are just as critical as physical preparation when it comes to delivering on the biggest stage.”
After the Olympics, you posted on Instagram that you are more aware about your potential now. What did you mean by that?
“What I meant is that the Olympics showed me what I’m truly capable of when I fully believe in myself. It’s not just about physical ability—it’s about mindset, discipline, and the willingness to push past limits. I realized there’s still so much more I can achieve, and that’s incredibly motivating.”
It’s a ways away but what are the hopes for returning to Tokyo later in the year?
“Returning to the Tokyo Olympic Stadium will be special—it holds so many great memories for me. My hope is to bring that same energy and confidence to the World Championships and compete at my best. It’s a chance to show how much I’ve grown as an athlete since the Olympics.”
What are the ways in which you think the 100m has evolved since the Tokyo Olympics? It has not gotten much faster but the competition has gotten tougher.
“The 100m has definitely become more competitive since Tokyo. The depth of talent is incredible, with so many athletes capable of running sub-10 times. It’s not just about speed anymore—it’s about consistency, strategy, and execution. Every race feels like a final, which makes it an exciting time to be part of the sport.”
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Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
