He has been proclaiming it loud and clear for months: he intends to shine during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For now, Noah Lyles is giving himself the means. The triple world champion from Budapest (100, 200 and 4 x 100 m) shone during the American selections. This Saturday in Eugene, he dominated the 200m by achieving the best world performance of the year with a time of 19”53.
“I’m where I wanted to be, we had built the training to have a first peak of form this week,” he said after the race. We still have work to do until the Olympics, a few details to sort out.” In Paris, he is aiming for a fantastic quadruple, since he also plans to line up in the 4 x 400 m. He is still chasing his first Olympic gold medal, he who had to settle for bronze in the 200 m in Tokyo, in 2021.
“Win an Olympic title and set a world record”
This Saturday, he signed his 25th success in a row in the 200m. “On a personal level, I still have two things to do to be considered one of the greatest in my sport: win an Olympic title and set a world record. » Noah Lyles won ahead of Kenny Bednarek (19”59), the Olympic vice-champion, and Erriyon Knighton (19”77), who will accompany him over the distance in Paris. Christian Coleman settled for fourth place (19”89).
Among the women, the surprise came from Sha’Carri Richardson, who did not qualify for the Olympic 200m. The American finished fourth in the selection final (22”16) and will only compete in the 100 and 4 x 100 m of the Games. However, she impressed during the series (21”99) then in the semi-final (21”92). The qualifiers for the Olympic 200m are finally Gabby Thomas (21”81), bronze medalist in Tokyo, Brittany Brown (21”90) and McKenzie Long (21”91).
In Jamaica, the Olympic trials also continued, with the 200m heats. The 200m world champion, Shericka Jackson, clocked the best time in 22”67. She is the big favourite for the final this Sunday. Qualified in the 100m, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce did not line up in the 200m. Elaine Thompson-Herah, the Olympic champion, is injured and will not be able to defend her title.
