Noah Lyles posted a world-leading and meet record time of 19.53 seconds to win the men’s 200 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials, securing his spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The event, held on June 25, 2024, at Hayward Field, saw intense competition among top U.S. sprinters.
Lyles, the reigning world champion, demonstrated his exceptional speed and resilience, particularly after facing tough competition in the heats and semifinals. Notably, he was beaten by 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton in the earlier rounds. However, Lyles surged ahead in the final to claim the gold medal, reaffirming his dominance in the 200 meters.
Kenny Bednarek, known as “Kung Fu Kenny,” finished a close second with a personal best time of 19.59 seconds. Bednarek’s performance also secured his place on the U.S. Olympic team. Erriyon Knighton, the young sprinting prodigy, clinched the bronze with an impressive time of 19.77 seconds, marking him as a rising star in the sport.
The results from this race have set high expectations for the U.S. sprinting team as they prepare for the Paris Olympics. Lyles’ victory is particularly significant as it follows his previous successes at the 2023 World Championships, where he won gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.
The U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials, spanning from June 21 to 30, 2024, at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, have been a showcase of elite athletic talent. The trials included numerous events, with the top three finishers in each event, who meet the Olympic qualifying standards, earning their spots on the U.S. team.
