Noah Lyles wins the 200m at the US Olympic Trials (© Getty Images)
World leads in the sprints highlighted action during the second half of the US Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Six-time world champion Noah Lyles added another Olympic Trials title to his collection with his victory in the men’s 200m on Saturday in a world-leading 19.53. Michael Johnson’s meeting record of 19.66 had stood since 1996 before Lyles broke it in his semi-final (19.60), then broke it again in the final. The feat strengthened Lyles’ case for four gold medals at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“You claim you’re gonna go out there and win four medals, so the goal had to be win the 100m and 200m – job is accomplished,” Lyles said. “I’m right where I need to be.”
Lyles led five athletes under 20 seconds, showcasing the depth of the US men. He was pushed to the line by Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek, who took 0.08 off his personal best with his second-place performance of 19.59. World silver medallist Erriyon Knighton was third in a season’s best of 19.77.
Saturday also saw Olympic bronze medallist Gabby Thomas take the crown in the women’s 200m in 21.81, having clocked a world-leading 21.78 in her semifinal.
“I feel like everything’s coming together right where it needs to and I’ve done my job,” Thomas said. “Now we’re looking at the gold medal.”
Brittany Brown, the 2019 world silver medallist, placed second in a PB of 21.90, with NCAA champion McKenzie Long taking third in 21.91. Both earned their first Olympic berths. World 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson was fourth, running 22.16 after equalling her PB of 21.92 in the semifinals.
There were fireworks in the men’s 110m hurdles final on Friday evening as Grant Holloway led a trio of men under 13 seconds. Holloway, who has won the past three world titles, took the victory in 12.86, the second-fastest time of his career and just 0.06 shy of the world record. He will be looking to improve upon his silver medal performance from the Tokyo Olympics.
“You’re training for that moment, and that moment only comes every four years,” Holloway said. “If you’re not training to be Olympic gold medallist, then what the hell are you doing? That’s my mentality.”
Freddie Crittenden, the fourth-place finisher from last year’s World Championships, placed second in a PB of 12.93, with world bronze medallist Daniel Roberts rounding out the podium in a PB of 12.96.
Olympic champion Valarie Allman was dominant in winning the women’s discus on Thursday with 70.73m. With the exception of one foul, all her throws in the finals were beyond 67 metres. Jayden Ulrich (62.63m) and Veronica Fraley (62.54m) placed second and third respectively.
World silver medallist Tara Davis-Woodhall survived a scare in the women’s long jump final after fouling her first two attempts. She recorded a mark in the third round which granted her three more jumps, and she moved into the lead with her wind-assisted fifth-round leap of 7.00m (2.6m/s). That would prove good enough for the win, with Jasmine Moore right behind her at 6.98m.
Monae’ Nichols moved into third on her final jump. Her mark of 6.86m is also the exact distance of the Olympic qualifying standard, guaranteeing her spot in Paris.
Two-time world champion Chase Jackson led a solid contingent of US women’s shot putters to earn a spot on her first Olympic team. Jackson’s best mark of 20.10m was a season’s best. Olympic silver medallist Raven Saunders threw 19.90m (also a season’s best) to get second, with NCAA champion and collegiate record-holder Jaida Ross finishing third (19.60m).
The women’s 3000m steeplechase final was a barn burner with the top nine finishers setting PBs. Valerie Constien triumphed in a championship record of 9:03.22, 15 seconds quicker than her pre-2024 PB. Constien’s swift time is made all the more remarkable considering she underwent knee surgery just a year ago.
Courtney Wayment was second in 9:06.50 and Marisa Howard was third in 9:07.14. The podium finishers moved to third, fourth and fifth respectively on the US all-time list.
Weini Kelati, the only woman in the field with the Olympic qualifying standard, came out on top of the women’s 10,000m in 31:41.07. Parker Valby and Karissa Schweizer battled down the home stretch, both recording a time of 31:41.56 with Valby taking silver by four-thousandths of a second.
Sunday (30) will see the conclusion of the US Olympic Trials, with 11 event finals on deck. World record-holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will highlight the day’s competition after her world-leading 52.48 in the 400m hurdles semifinals on Saturday.
Jessi Gabriel for World Athletics
