After a disappointing finish in the 100m to a very talented field, Noah Lyles took the 200m gold at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Kenny Bednarek came off the turn and into the straight with a slight lead, but Lyles may be the best in the world at finishing the last 80m of the 200.
As the field sped around the turn and into the straight, it looked like Bednarek was going to edge out his competitors. His frame much larger and stronger looking than Lyles, and dwarfing third-place Erriyon Knighton. Knighton, the 17-year-old adidas athlete showed out in the qualifying rounds of the 200m. He broke Usain Bolt’s u20 record with a 19.88 finish in the semi-finals, then followed that up with his 19.84 finish in the finals.
The trio should be one of the most talented the U.S. has had in this event.
That’s how you claim your ticket to Tokyo – @LylesNoah everybody. ?
#TokyoOlympics x #TrackFieldTrials21 pic.twitter.com/XsMFAjBF4T— Team USA (@TeamUSA) June 28, 2021
Lyles showed that while he may not be in his best shape, he is still the former world champion and has the experience at his young age to fight through adversity. Bednarek, the former NJCAA star has come close to taking down Lyles on multiple occasions but has yet to overtake him down the final stretch. Keep your eyes on Kenny Bednarek in Tokyo, if he makes it to the final he could be a surprise for the podium, including gold.
As for the high schooler Knighton, he will be the youngest Olympian from the United States in track since Jim Ryun in 1964, and the first high schooler to make the 200m team for the US since 1972. He has broken two of Usain Bolt’s world youth records, the u20 and u18 records continue to fall each time he toes the line it seems.
Team USA is going to be filled with world-class talent and will be must-watch TV in Tokyo this summer. There will be old pros, new favorites, collegiates, and high school athletes competing against the world’s best.
