Noah Lyles Dominates in Opening Round of U.S. Olympic Trials

Noah Lyles’ debut at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials unfolded predictably. With Snoop Dogg and his mother cheering him on from the stands, Lyles effortlessly secured victory in the preliminary round of the 100 meters. Clocking in at 9.92 seconds, he was the sole sprinter to break the 10-second barrier in the first heat, with Kenny Bednarek finishing second at 10.00 seconds.

Afterward, Lyles shared his aspiration to achieve a 9.7-second time during the Trials, reflecting on his training sessions and the confidence they’ve given him. "It's about focusing in, facing the clock, running to win, and letting your body take over," he explained. Noting his ease in the first round, where he "shut it down" after 60 meters, Lyles expressed no pressure given his status as the country's fastest 100-meter sprinter this year.

Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley claimed victory in the second heat with a time of 10.03 seconds, advancing to Sunday’s semifinal. Christian Coleman also made a strong showing, surging out of the blocks to take an early lead and comfortably winning the fourth heat in 9.99 seconds.

Lyles’ current momentum follows a stellar 2023 season where the 26-year-old clinched both the 100 and 200-meter titles at the world championships and contributed to Team USA’s gold-medal winning relay squad. Despite his achievements, Lyles is driven by a desire for more, particularly in light of his bronze medal in the 200 meters at the Tokyo Games. "I don't like that thing," he said, referring to his sole Olympic medal, which serves as motivation. "Every time I think I'm doing enough, I look at that medal and think, 'Alright, back to work!'"

Both Lyles and Coleman entered the trials with the fastest qualifying time of 9.83 seconds, and Lyles’ season-best 9.85 seconds ranks as the third-fastest globally this year. The men’s 100-meter semifinals and finals are slated for Sunday, with Lyles also set to compete in the 200 meters, his signature event.

Why This Matters: Noah Lyles' performance at the U.S. Olympic trials showcases his dominance and potential for success in the upcoming Olympics, emphasizing the competitive landscape of American sprinting and setting the stage for compelling races ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Noah Lyles won the preliminary round of the 100 meters with a time of 9.92 seconds.
• He aims to run a 9.7-second time during the Trials, based on his training performance.
• Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman also advanced, with times of 10.03 and 9.99 seconds, respectively.
• Lyles’ recent accomplishments include double gold at the world championships and a gold medal in the relay.
• He is motivated by his Tokyo bronze, using it as a reminder to keep striving for excellence.