Marcell Jacobs, who shocked the world by winning Olympic gold in the 100 meters at the 2021 Tokyo Games, says he might continue competing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if he can overcome recent setbacks. The 31-year-old Italian sprinter told Sky Sport Italia he needs to find “that spark” again before committing to three more years of competition.
Jacobs became an unexpected champion in Tokyo when he posted a time of 9.80 seconds to claim gold. He also won the 4×100-meter relay that same year. His success continued in 2022 when he became the 60-meter world indoor champion and defended his European 100-meter title. In 2024, he won two more European gold medals in the 100 meters and 4×100 relay.
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However, injuries have slowed his progress since Tokyo. Jacobs failed to run under 10 seconds throughout the 2025 season, marking his second season without breaking that barrier since his breakthrough. He also failed to dip under 10 seconds during the 2023 campaign.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jacobs finished fifth in the 100-meter final with a time of 9.85 seconds. His struggles continued at the World Championships in Tokyo last September, where he was eliminated in the semifinals and finished the campaign with a season’s best of only 10.16 seconds.
The sprinter has run under 10 seconds in legal conditions 11 times during his career. His indoor personal best of 6.41 seconds in the 60 meters, set in Belgrade in March 2022, remains an Italian record. He has clocked under 6.60 seconds in the 60 meters 28 times.
Jacobs said his decision to continue depends on whether he can train at full capacity without interruptions.
“If I were ever to find that spark again – the one I’m trying at all costs to re-light – I’d like to have a clear situation that would allow me to train at 100 per cent,” Jacobs, 31, told Sky Sport Italia.
“And in that case, it wouldn’t be for just one year, but at least three. The goal would become Los Angeles 2028,” the Italian added.
