Noah Lyles Smashes US Olympic Trials Record in 200m Victory

Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion, set a new US Olympic trials record with a stunning victory in the 200m, clocking 19.53 seconds in Oregon. The 26-year-old, who previously secured the 100m trials title, surged from behind to edge out rival Kenny Bednarek by a mere 0.06 seconds.

Lyles’ impressive time, the fastest recorded in the 200m event for 2024, surpassed a longstanding record set by Michael Johnson at the US Olympic trials ahead of the 1996 Atlanta Games. Reflecting on his achievement, Noah Lyles attributed his success to improved mental health, emphasizing the impact on his performance and stamina.

“I’ve been vocal about it all season, but having better mental health has been crucial,” Lyles remarked. “I’m grateful to God every day for helping me navigate through each round, feeling healthy both mentally and physically.”

In the women’s competition, Gabby Thomas triumphed in the 200m with a time of 21.81 seconds, marking the second-fastest time of the year. Thomas, 27, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, expressed joy and satisfaction with her performance, setting her sights on dual victories in the 100m and 200m events at the Paris Games.

However, Sha’Carri Richardson, who had previously won the 100m trials, finished fourth in the 200m event, missing out on a chance to compete in France. Despite a strong start, Richardson couldn’t maintain her pace, trailing behind Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, and McKenzie Long in the final standings.