Track stars’ rivalry turns NSFW following joke about ‘d**k-measuring contest’

People can’t get enough of the banter between two contestants who will take part in the World Athletics Championships.

The men’s 400-meter hurdles final will take place in Tokyo on Friday (19 September).

But the spotlight is on two competitors: Norway’s Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin of the US. Why? Because their friendly rivalry has the internet in tears of laughter.

Alongside Warholm, who won the gold medal at the last three world championships, plus gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Silver in the 2024 Paris Games, and Benjamin, who beat Warholm for the gold at the 2024 Paris Games after winning silver in Tokyo, Alison Dos Santos of Brazil is also one of the three men to watch in Friday’s showdown. Santos won the bronze medal in Tokyo and Paris.

In an interview, Warholm was asked about the showdown between Benjamin and Santos and replied: “We’ll see if it turns into a good old-fashioned dick-measuring contest.”

Informed of the comment by a reporter, Benjamin responded: “Well, I’m Black, so we already know how that one goes in a dick-measuring contest.”

Comments in response to the banter confirm that it’s part of what the sport’s fans have missed.

One person wrote on Reddit: “This is the kind of banter track and field needs.”

Another wrote: “Freak and field”.

Someone else said of the competition: “Honestly though, I have no idea who is winning out of these two. The closest 50/50 of these champs so far for me.”

“Not saying they should measure dicks but for scientific purposes, would be interesting study to do,” another joked.

Benjamin said in an interview on Wednesday (17 September) that he is ready for another “historic” tussle between Warholm and Santos.

“I hope it’s historic and I hope I’m on the right side of history this time. Coming out here, you can never be on the wrong side of history.”