Eugene, Oregon – Noah Lyles held on to his Olympic sprint double aspirations by winning the 200m event at the US track trials in 19.53 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. Lyles, a three-time world champion in the 200m, secured his spot in the event after clinching victory in the 100m last weekend.
The race was fierce, with Lyles pushing hard in the final stretch to overtake Kenny Bednarek and win by a mere 0.06 seconds. Erriyon Knighton, who made his comeback after being cleared of allegations related to drug-tainted meat, finished third and secured his place on the Olympic team for the second time.
Lyles’ impressive time of 19.53 shattered the US Olympic trials record of 19.66 set by Michael Johnson in 1996. Looking ahead to Paris, Lyles aims to make up for his previous loss in the 200m at a major competition.
Reflecting on his performance, Lyles attributed his success to maintaining positive mental health, expressing gratitude for being in a healthier state both mentally and physically throughout the season. His victory came shortly after Sha’Carri Richardson’s disappointment in the women’s 200m event, where she finished fourth, missing out on the opportunity to compete in both sprints.
In a dramatic turn of events, Lyles found himself trailing Bednarek towards the end of the 200m race. Despite setting his sights on a record-breaking performance, Lyles had to focus on securing the win and fending off Bednarek, who is also a strong contender in both the 100m and 200m races.
Bednarek, determined to outdo Lyles in their next encounter, acknowledged the tight competition between them and his resolve to challenge the reigning champion. The trials showcased the unpredictable nature of track and field, highlighting the fierce competition and the athletes’ relentless pursuit of victory.