World champion Noah Lyles confirmed his place at the Paris Olympics this year with a commanding win in the men’s 100 meters at the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. Lyles, who tied his personal best with a time of 9.83 seconds, secured his victory in the final after an earlier win in the semifinals.
Kenny Bednarek finished second with a personal best of 9.87 seconds, and Fred Kerley, who achieved a season’s best with 9.88 seconds, came in third. Both sprinters, who earned silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 100m and 200m respectively, also qualified for the Paris Olympics.
After a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 100m trials for Tokyo—missing out on that event but securing a bronze in the 200m—Lyles made a triumphant return. “Three years ago I got second to last. This year I came and won it,” Lyles remarked post-race, emphasizing his unwavering focus and determination fueled by his experience in Tokyo.
Lyles showcased his confidence from the start, energizing the crowd and taking an early lead in the final. He celebrated his impending victory before even crossing the finish line, a testament to his dominant performance.
However, the competition was fierce. Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion, started strong but faded around the halfway mark, eventually finishing fourth, just behind Kerley.
Looking forward, Lyles expressed his readiness to compete in the 200m later in the week, aiming to surpass his previous Olympic performance and potentially set a new American record. The Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11, with the men’s 100m final scheduled for August 4. Lyles’s victory at the trials not only cements his status as a top contender but also sets high expectations for his performance in Paris.
