For the fourth time in his career, Noah Lyles won the U.S. title in the 200 meters, running 19.53 on Saturday night at the Olympic Trials. Gabby Thomas Wins 200 Meters.
Kenny Bednarek finished in second place in 19.59, and the third and final spot on Team USA went to Erriyon Knighton (19.77). Christian Coleman faded late in the race and ended up fourth in 19.89. Coleman was also fourth in the 100 meters.
For Lyles, his time of 19.53 is an Olympic Trials record. He already holds the American record at 19.31, which he set in 2022.
After the race, Lyles said he was excited about the American squad in the 200. “The U.S. is dominating,” he said. “We’ve had two medalists at least at each World Championship and Olympics since 2021. In the 200, we definitely have a strong, strong boding for sweeping again.”
Lyles has looked untouchable in the 200 meters this year, which he considers to be his signature event. He opened up his season in the event a bit later than usual, taking the win at the New York City Grand Prix on June 9 in 19.77. He breezed through the opening two rounds of the Olympic Trials, highlighted by a wind-aided 19.60 on Friday.
Lyles is a three-time World Championship gold medalist in the 200. Last year at the Budapest World Championships, he completed a difficult triple by winning the 100, 200, and 4x100-meter relay. Lyles has said he intends to repeat the feat in Paris, and he’s also expressed interest in running the 4x400-meter relay.
After his performance at the Trials, Lyles is widely considered to be the favorite in the 100 and 200 meters in Paris. Letsile Tebogo of Botswana has looked sharp this season, and could push Lyles in the 200. The two have not yet faced each other this year. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Lyles won a bronze medal in the 200.
In the 100 meters, Lyles’s biggest competition could come from his compatriots: 2021 silver medalist Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek. Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville, both of Jamaica, will also be medal threats.
Knighton’s fitness was unknown for most of this season. In March, the 20-year-old tested positive for the steroid trenbolone. But in June, it was ruled that he likely consumed contaminated meat, which contributed to the positive test, and he was allowed to compete at the Trials.
CA Notice at Collection Runner’s World. He is a former all-conference collegiate runner who’s based in Easton, PA. Previously, he worked as the newsletters editor at Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics.
