Noah Lyles Eyes Historic Sprint Double at Paris 2024

American sprinter Noah Lyles is on the brink of making history as he aims to become the first man since Usain Bolt to complete the Olympic sprint double. Lyles secured his place in the 200m final at Paris 2024 after finishing second in his semi-final with a time of 20.08 seconds, trailing Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, who clocked the fastest time of the round at 19.96 seconds.

Lyles, 27, already claimed gold in the 100m earlier this week, edging out Jamaica's Kishane Thompson by five-thousandths of a second in a thrilling photo finish. This victory marked a significant milestone as Lyles became the first American to win the Olympic 100m title in 20 years, since Justin Gatlin's triumph in 2004.

The Olympic 200m final is set for Thursday at 19:30 BST, where Lyles will compete against a formidable field. Fellow American Kenneth Bednarek posted a faster semi-final time of 20.00 seconds, while compatriot Erriyon Knighton, the world 200m silver medallist, also advanced. However, defending champion Andre de Grasse of Canada will not be in the final, having finished third in his semi-final with a time of 20.41 seconds.

Lyles’ impressive track record includes winning world 100m, 200m, and 4x100m gold in Budapest last year, making him the first man since Bolt in 2015 to achieve a 100m and 200m world double. His current form positions him as the favorite for the 200m final, where he aims to further cement his status as the dominant sprinter of his generation.

Reflecting on his journey, Lyles has expressed his ambitions beyond the sprints, contemplating a bid for the 4x400m relay title to add to his accolades in Paris. This vision echoes the legendary achievements of Usain Bolt, who completed individual sprint doubles at three consecutive Olympic Games, accumulating eight gold medals in total, including relay golds in 2012 and 2016.

Lyles’ pursuit of the sprint double places him among an elite group, as only nine men have accomplished this feat in Olympic history. His potential triumph in the 200m would mark a significant chapter in athletics, highlighting his resilience and exceptional talent on the global stage.

Key Highlights:

• 100m Gold: Noah Lyles won the 100m gold by a margin of five-thousandths of a second from Jamaica's Kishane Thompson.
• 200m Semi-Final: Lyles finished second in his 200m semi-final with a time of 20.08 seconds, behind Botswana's Letsile Tebogo.
• Historic Double: Lyles aims to become the first man since Usain Bolt to complete the Olympic sprint double.
• Final Anticipation: The 200m final will take place on Thursday at 19:30 BST.
• Field of Competitors: Kenneth Bednarek (20.00 seconds) and Erriyon Knighton are among the top competitors, while Andre de Grasse did not qualify for the final.

As the world watches, Noah Lyles stands on the cusp of a remarkable achievement that could redefine his career and etch his name alongside the legends of the sport.