Noah Lyles set a new US Olympic trial 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 Ben Johnson’s 19.66s time set during qualifying for the Atlanta games in 1996.
A bronze medalist in the event in 2021 in Tokyo, Lyles is twice a world champion in the event and claimed his fourth US title with Saturday’s record run.
The Florida native spoke to the press pack after his successful run and declared: “The goal had to be 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 place finish in Tokyo, Lyles spoke openly about his struggles with depression.
Now in a better place mentally, Lyles 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.”