The United States Sprinters are one of the greatest runners in the history of Olympics and without a doubt they’re the heavy favorites to take the most important medals this year in Tokyo. And not just in 100m, the men from US are all set to hunt down the 200m category as well.
After the failed attempt to make it to the 100m event in US Team, Noah Lyles saved the best for the last. The man who finished in seventh position in 100m qualifying, finished at the very front in 200m qualifying run up to Japan. Noah Lyles, the 2019 world champion, leads the world with the run of 19.74 seconds that won him the U.S trials last month for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Noah Lyles of the United States celebrates winning the Men’s 200 Metres final during day five of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on October 01, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)
Talking to the media after his impressive performance, Noah conveyed, “I don’t think anybody can prepare you for the lion you have to slay at the Olympic trials. This is the hardest team to make and everybody here shows it.”
The 24-year-old American further asserted, “I think to signify the importance of today, you have to go through the hardships of the year. Really, going through the hard parts is what makes this moment so great. It was fun again. It was nice, it was real nice. To see a little bit of that old Noah but see a lot of new Noah.”
On the other hand, Kenny Bednarek, who put up his career-best 19.78, and a newly minted under-20 world record holder Erriyon Knighton with 19.84, will join Lyles in the U.S. team
Kenny Bednarek of the United States looks on as he wins the Men’s 200 metres during the Mueller Grand Prix Gateshead – 2021 Diamond League meeting at Gateshead International Stadium on May 23, 2021 in Gateshead, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Usain Bolt had held this record of 200m under-20 record since 2004 and pointed out Knighton as one of the youngsters to watch in Tokyo and beyond. On that context Bolt, the multiple time world champion and three time Olympic Gold Medalist in 100m stated, “The 17-year-old has really impressed me in the U.S trials, so let’s see in the near future what he will do.”
It’ll be now interesting to see how this incredible American team performs in the upcoming games and if they can break Usain Bolt’s record and how they perform despite the absence of a strong Jamaican team this time around.
