Noah Lyles beats Michael Johnson's 28-year-old US Olympic trials record, setting new mark of 19.53s in 200m event
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Published 30/06/2024 at 17:21 GMT
Noah Lyles claimed his fourth US title and set a new American qualifying record in the 200m on Saturday, posting a new mark of 19.53s. Lyles, a bronze medallist in the event at the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, broke Michael Johnson's 28-year-old record and added the 200m to the 100m that he won last weekend. Rival Kenny Bednarek was edged out by a meagre 0.06 seconds.
Noah Lyles competes in the first round of the men's 200 meters on Day Seven of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 27, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Noah Lyles set a new US Olympic trials record with a blistering 19.53s winning run in the 200m on Saturday night, posting the fastest time anywhere in the world for the event in 2024.
Lyles, who claimed the 100m last weekend, was forced to come from behind to overcome rivals Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton who finished second and third respectively in the event in Eugene, Oregon.
The new mark overhauls Michael Johnson's 19.66s time set during qualifying for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.
A bronze medallist in the 200m in 2021 in Tokyo, Lyles is a three-time world champion in the event and claimed his fourth US title with Saturday's record run.
The Florida native spoke to the press after his successful run and declared: "The goal had to be [to] win the 100 and win the 200, so the job is accomplished."
Lyles also admitted that the race had not gone the way his team had anticipated.
He said: "Kenny got a great start. The plan was actually to swallow him up in the first 50 metres...but I knew that he was definitely working on something, so I guess that was it."
Bednarek also finished second to Lyles in the 100m.
Following a disappointing third-placed finish in Tokyo, Lyles spoke openly about his struggles with depression.
Now in a better place mentally, he has his sights set on a big performance in Paris.
He said: "I've said it all season but it helps to not have depression. I thank God every day for getting me through each and every round. Healthy, mentally and physically."
For his part, Bednarek remains hopeful of gold in Paris.
He said: "I had it but I tightened up a little bit, so I’m gonna get him next time. I’m on his case."
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