EUGENE, Ore. — Noah Lyles’ first race at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials went as expected.
With Snoop Dogg in the stands watching with his mother, Lyles cruised to victory in the preliminary round of the 100 meters. Lyles ran a 9.92 to win the opening round. He was the only sprinter to run sub-10 seconds in the first heat. Kenny Bednarek ran a 10.00 to finish second.
Lyles told reporters afterward that his goal is to hit 9.7 seconds while he’s at the Trials and that “from what we saw in training that it’ll come.
“It’s about focusing in, facing the clock, running to win and letting your body take over,” he said, adding that by breezing through the first round, where he “shut it down” after 60 meters, he doesn’t feel pressure, especially because he has the fastest 100 time in the country this year.
Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley won the second heat of the men’s 100. Kerley posted a 10.03 to advance to Sunday’s semifinal. Christian Coleman stormed out the blocks, took an early lead and coasted the rest of the way to easily win the fourth heat in a 9.99.
Lyles is coming off a banner 2023 season. The 26-year-old sprinter won the 100 and 200 at last year’s world championships. He was also a part of Team USA’s gold-medal winning relay squad.
But Lyles is looking for more at the Trials and hopefully, in Paris. He said “I don’t like that thing,” of the bronze he won in the 200 at the Tokyo Games — the only Olympic medal he owns — but acknowledged that it’s a reminder of what he’s aiming for now.
“I think by not liking it, it gives me the fire to keep going and keep pressing,” he said. “Every time I’m like, ‘Yeah, I think I’m doing enough,’ I’ll turn around and look at that medal and I’m like, ‘Alright, back to work!'”
USA TODAY Sports named Lyles as one of the athletes to watch at the Olympic trials.
Lyles and Coleman entered the trials tied with the fastest qualifying time (9.83). Lyles came into Saturday having run a 9.85 this season, which is the third fastest time in the world this year.
The semifinals and final of the men’s 100 are scheduled for Sunday.
Lyles is also entered in the 200, which is considered his strongest event.
Contributing: Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Olympic track trials 2024: Noah Lyles wins Round 1 of men’s 100m
