EUGENE, OREGON – World champion Noah Lyles has earned his spot in the Paris Olympics by winning the 100m at the US Olympic trials, tying his personal record of 9.83 seconds. This victory comes three years after he failed to qualify for the 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he finished seventh.
Lyles will be joined in Paris by Kenny Bednarek, who finished second with a time of 9.87 seconds, and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Fred Kerley, who took third place at 9.88 seconds.
Reflecting on his achievement, Lyles said, “Three years ago, I was second to last. This year, I came and won it. Part of the plan. Nothing changed. It might be a shock to everybody else, but when you know the goal, you know the goal.” He had previously run a wind-assisted 9.80 seconds in the semi-finals.
Lyles, who earned a 200m bronze medal in Tokyo, highlighted how past challenges fueled his determination. “If I hadn’t gotten that third place in Tokyo, I wouldn’t have had the desire, the fire burning. I wouldn’t have achieved what I have since,” he remarked. “Now we look to the future with open eyes because anything can happen.”
In other events, 2019 world champion Christian Coleman narrowly missed qualifying, finishing fourth in the 100m. Meanwhile, Sam Kendricks set a meet record in the pole vault by clearing 5.92 meters.
The trials also saw a standout performance from 16-year-old Quincy Wilson, who set a new under-18 world record in the 400m semi-finals with a time of 44.59 seconds.
The Paris Olympics are set to run from July 26 to August 11, with the men’s 100m final slated for August 4.
