Noah Lyles Completes Sprinting Double at World Championships, Sets Sights on Bolt’s Record
Noah Lyles, one of the most exuberant athletes in track and field, emerged victorious in the 200 meters at the world championships with a time of 19.52 seconds. While his performance was undoubtedly impressive, Lyles couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment as he fell short of the world record set by Usain Bolt in 2009.
Lyles, who had already won gold in the 100 meters earlier in the competition, became the first male sprinter since Bolt to sweep the 100 and 200 at a major global championship. However, his ultimate goal was to break Bolt’s 200-meter world record of 19.19 seconds.
Despite a good start and a dominant performance, Lyles’ pursuit of the record fell short due to a slightly slower first 50 meters. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old sprinter remains undeterred and has already set his sights on the Paris Olympics.
Lyles, who is the only man aside from Bolt to hold three consecutive 200-meter world titles, aims to solidify his place among the sport’s all-time greats at the upcoming Olympics. The Olympics have been the lone gap in Lyles’s resume, and he plans to make a statement in Paris next year.
The road to the world championships hasn’t been without its challenges for Lyles. In Tokyo, he faced personal turmoil and openly discussed his struggles with mental health. Despite missing out on the U.S. team in the 100 meters, Lyles managed to win bronze in the 200. Since then, he has been unstoppable in the 200-meter final.
As Lyles walked down the backstretch in celebration, he held up two fingers – one for each individual gold he won at the world championships. With his remarkable performance, Lyles has earned himself five world championship gold medals, including the 4×100 relay in 2019.
However, Lyles’s journey to the world championships was not without incident. Ahead of the semifinal heat, Lyles was involved in a collision between two carts used to transport athletes. Fortunately, he escaped unharmed and went on to qualify as the top performer.
Lyles’s performance was overshadowed momentarily by Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, who broke the women’s 200-meter world record with a time of 21.41 seconds. Jackson’s achievement serves as a reminder that no record is off-limits in the ever-evolving world of track and field.
With the Paris Olympics approaching, Lyles stands poised to prove himself as the fastest man in the world. At 27 years old, he is at the peak of his career and ready to take on the challenge. With his infectious energy and undeniable talent, Lyles is primed to leave a lasting legacy in the sport.