Lyles Shows His Flash, Speeds Through Finals To Earn Spot At Olympics In 100 Meters

EUGENE, Oregon – The vibrant red running suit, white pearls, and gold award told it all.

Noah Lyles is the most flashy and fastest sprinter in the United States—and possibly the World.

We’ll find out later this summer in Paris, courtesy of Lyles’ come-from-behind triumph in the 100 meters at U.S. track trials on Sunday — a 9.83-second sprint that sealed his ticket in an Olympics where he hopes to electrify his sport.

Lyles | AP News Image

Lyles Shows His Flash, Speeds Through Finals To Earn Spot At Olympics In 100 Meters

“This was basically the plan, and the plan is working right now,” according to Lyles.

Lyles came from the back of the pack to equal his best time in the sprint that determines the Fastest Man in the World.

He beat Kenny Bednarek, a 200-meter specialist, by 04. Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champion, finished third and will travel to Paris. The 2019 world champion Christian Coleman led with around 30 meters remaining but finished fourth.

Following Lyles’ victory, the American sprint favorites are now 2 for 2 after three days of trials. It comes a day after Sha’Carri Richardson met expectations by winning the women’s 100, earning her trip to Paris.

Both sprinters excel in their own way. Lyles is on a quest to brighten up an entire sport that has been dimmed since Usain Bolt quit the stage immediately following the Olympics in 2016.

In line with the concept, the 26-year-old Lyles arrived at Hayward Field in a finely tailored sports coat and slacks and was handed a briefcase containing his freshly dressed racing gear. He wore white pearls to the race, and when he was announced, he leaped and jumped about 30 yards down the track, encouraging the spectators to get up.

Snoop Dogg was in the house and witnessed some of the action with Lyles’ mother, who was almost as excited to watch as her son; up in the stands, she fell to her knees after Noah reeled in Kerley to his right, then Coleman and Bednarek to his left.

“Every step I took felt more powerful than the last,” he added. “I said, ‘I got this race.’ I told myself I was not going to give up.”

But he did, raising his index finger just before the border and banging his chest after crossing it.

This is Lyles’ first national win in the 100 meters; he holds three 200-meter global titles but redesigned his ambitions after finishing third at the Tokyo Games. Last summer, the globe witnessed the labor begin to pay off.

Lyles won the world championships in Budapest in the 100, 200, and 4×100 relay last year. His 100 times on a cool, quiet night in Eugene matched the time he ran to win the world championship. If he can complete the triple again, he would join Bolt, the Jamaican great who went 3 for 3 in his three Olympic races.

“He’s the package,” Lyles’ coach Lance Brauman stated. “That doesn’t mean we can’t do things to improve ourselves and move forward. But he appreciates that aspect of it. He enjoys being at the track. He enjoys attending training sessions. I mean, he enjoys the race. It’s simply who he is.

Lyles, who races next weekend for a spot in the 200, may win four medals. No. 4 could compete in the 4×400, putting him in the company of Carl Lewis and even Jesse Owens.

Kendricks and The Olympics
Pole vaulter Sam Kendricks remains skeptical of the Olympic movement but will not refuse his position at the Paris Games. Kendricks won his event at trials on Sunday but could not compete at the Tokyo Games due to a positive COVID-19 test.

“I enjoy this sport. Kendricks stated, “I love competing.” “I enjoy putting on Team USA. I’ve always liked that, and I joined the Army because I love our nation. I’m excited about everything.”

Lyles | AP News Image

Lyles Shows His Flash, Speeds Through Finals To Earn Spot At Olympics In 100 Meters

However, he does not believe the Olympics should be the end-all destination for athletes like himself.

“I think it’s too far gone,” he stated. “It’s not a nice place to send our young people. “It is self-deprecating.”

Wing(er) and a Prayer
Kara Winger, a four-time Olympian, is back.

Winger retired shortly after winning a silver medal at the 2022 world championships in Eugene but has since chosen to resume throwing the javelin.

She threw 63.22 meters (207 feet, 5 inches) at a meet last month and believes she can achieve 64 meters, which would match the Olympic requirement and likely land her in the top three, allowing her to make the team.

Her event begins next Friday.

“I’m not a ‘practice’ thrower,” she explained. “If I don’t get it, it would probably be because of something mental.”

When he returns to high school, Quincy Wilson will have a few stories to share, like the one about how he raced to qualify for the Olympics.

Lyles | AP News Image

Lyles Shows His Flash, Speeds Through Finals To Earn Spot At Olympics In 100 Meters

The 16-year-old from Maryland’s Bullis School qualified for the 400-meter final at 44.59 seconds, one of the best two times among sprinters who did not finish in the top two in the three semifinals.

From Division III to Paris.
Matthew Wilkinson is moving from Division III to the Olympic Games. Wilkinson, an eight-time All-American at Carleton College in Minnesota, qualified for the Olympics by finishing second in the men’s steeplechase.

“Am I dreaming?” he asked during the post-race interview with NBC. “Someone wake me up, because this is unreal.”

He will be joined by the winner, Kenneth Rooks, and the third-place finisher, James Corrigan.

SOURCE – (AP)