Noah Lyles is the 2023 world champion who aims for 3 (or is it 4?) gold medals in Paris, but he is hardly invincible at this distance, and was defeated in his fastest 2024 race by a Jamaican, 9.82 to 9.85. Would his first 50 meters be quick enough to set up his strong second half?
Number-two on the US list was 18-year-old Florida high school senior Christian Miller, who had merely run 9.93 and 9.95 so far this year. What could he do on this very big stage?
2019 world 100 champion Christian Coleman seems as sharp as ever, but could he sustain his 60-meter-speed against a field of fast finishers?
And 2022 world champion Fred Kerley had a forgettable year thus far, but Hayward is the venue for the best races of his career. Would he rise to the occasion again?
The heats offered some clues. Lyles, off slowly after a re-start, breezed to an easy win in the day’s fastest time, 9.92, ahead of Kenny Bednarek. Kerley and Coleman also controlled their heats, while Brandon Hicklin and Courtney Lindsey emerged as potential threats. Miller started poorly and was fortunate to advance.
Semi 1: Lindsay led the entire way, with Kerley coming up at the end to nip the precocious Miller. The times: 9.88, 9.89 and 9.94, aided by a 2.6 mps wind. Ronnie Baker was 4th and out at 9.98.
Semi 2: Bednarek led all but the last 5 meters, when Lyles caught and passed him. The times, aided by a 3mps breeze, 9.80 and 9.82. JT Smith (9.94) and Kendal Williams (9.962) qualified.
Semi 3: Coleman dominated with his 2024 best 9.86, ahead of Hicklin (9.95) and Kyree King (9.966). The wind was legal: 1.5 mps. King was thus edged out of the final by 4/1000, despite racing with only half the wind assistance of Williams in the previous semi. A wind-legal 9.97 had never before, in any meet, failed to secure a final spot.
Two hours later, a classic final: the three most recent world 100 champions, plus speedy new and veteran faces.
Off even, Coleman, Lindsey and Bednarek had a slight lead at 20m, with Kerley and Miller close. Coleman still led at halfway from Bednarek and the rapidly closing Lyles. From there on, it was Lyles and Bednarek, with the former pulling ahead only in the last 10 meters.
Lyles raised his arm in victory, and Coleman’s lean was not enough to hold off Kerley’s. Aided by an 0.4 wind, the times were exceptional: Lyles 9.83 (=PR); Bednarek 9.87 (PR), Kerley 9.88, a disconsolate Coleman 9.93, and Miller 9.98.
“Every step I took, it felt correct, more powerful than the last,” said Lyles. “I thought, ‘I got this race.’ I thought I wasn’t going to ease up at the end, but I definitely eased up just to celebrate. Next time I run, no celebrations.”
