Noah Lyles made a strong return to the track in his quest for a second Olympic gold medal, finishing his first-round 200-meter heat in 20.19 seconds. He outpaced Canada’s Andre De Grasse by .11 seconds, showcasing a smooth and drama-free run compared to his intense 100-meter race the previous night.
In the 100-meter event, Lyles narrowly defeated Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just .005 seconds in a race hailed as one of the greatest in Olympic history. Lyles, Thompson, and Fred Kerley were set to receive their medals at the end of the day’s competitions.
Joining Lyles in the 200-meter advancement were Americans Erriyon Knighton with a time of 20.00 seconds and Kenny Bednarek clocking in at 19.97 seconds, presenting a formidable challenge to Lyles in the upcoming final on Thursday.
Lyles aims to achieve a rare double victory, a feat last accomplished by Usain Bolt in 2016, and before that by Carl Lewis in 1984. As Lyles hit the track, the men’s pole vault final, featuring Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis defending his Olympic title, was simultaneously underway.
In the women’s events, Gabby Thomas was set to compete in the semifinal heat of the 200 meters, stepping in as the favorite following the withdrawal of Jamaica’s world champion, Shericka Jackson. Other finals on the schedule included the women’s 800 and 5,000 meters, with Faith Kipyegon eyeing a historic women’s 1,500-5,000 double at the Olympics.
