As men’s middle-distance running evolves at breakneck speed, athletes like Jake Wightman and Donavan Brazier find their comebacks fraught with unexpected challenges. Their struggles highlight the relentless pace of progress in the sport and the hurdles of returning to peak performance.

Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon’s quest to break the women’s four-minute mile barrier ended in Paris without success. The historic attempt drew attention to the ongoing challenge of pushing the limits in women’s athletics.