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Eugene (United States) (AFP) – After profitable the world 200m title and a second gold as a part of the profitable US 4x100m relay crew in Doha in 2019, Noah Lyles headed to final yr’s Tokyo Olympics with excessive hopes.
However the American sprinter had, by his excessive requirements, a Summer season Video games to overlook, returning with only a bronze within the 200m behind Canadian winner Andre de Grasse and US teammate Kenneth Bednarek.
The relay crew, additionally that includes Olympic 100m silver medallist Fred Kerley, did not make the ultimate, Kerley’s handover to Ronnie Baker a botched effort that misplaced priceless tenths of seconds.
Lyles had complained in Tokyo of feeling a stage of isolation amid strict well being and security rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However the holding of the world championships in Eugene, Oregon — the primary time the occasion has been held in the US — has completely modified the panorama, in keeping with Lyles.
“It is utterly totally different from Tokyo, it is a precise 180 I would say,” mentioned the 24-year-old.
“One, being on residence soil; two, having my brother; three, having my entire household right here.
“Every thing I did not have in Tokyo I now have in these world championships.”
Lyles’ youthful brother Josephus has been included within the relay squad, having did not make the lower for the 200m roster within the ultra-competitive world of US sprinting.
His time of 19.93 seconds on the US trials would have seen him make just about some other nation’s line-up.
No extra solo dinners
Noah Lyles mentioned having his brother in tow meant not solely that their rivalry “makes us each higher”, but additionally that he did not should go to lunch by himself.
“It is higher to have your brother there, your finest good friend,” he mentioned.
“It is precisely what we have been ready for since we turned professional.”
The Lyles brothers just lately attended a US relay camp, however Noah was coy when pressed on particulars.
“The handovers have been good, far more expertise than different years,” he mentioned.
He then deadpanned: “Once I’m on the relay we aren’t shedding, level clean, and we’d break the world file!”
Kerley was additionally a part of the relay camp, however the 400m bronze medallist from the Doha worlds was taciturn when quizzed on whether or not he was able to change into the face of the monitor ought to he triumph within the blue riband 100m.
“I really feel like everybody in monitor and subject needs to be a figurehead, it is all about getting the job achieved,” mentioned Kerley.
“The ceiling is so excessive you’ve got simply acquired to proceed doing what you have to do to be succesful on this sport.
“I imagine in myself at the start,” he mentioned. “I put the work in to be nice, I do not come to run to be second finest.
“I am grateful to be one of many favourites… Get it achieved on residence soil.”
Italy’s Marcell Jacobs is the reigning Olympic champion, snatching gold as a rank outsider in Tokyo.
However his season has been dogged by harm, leaving the door open for a possible third-ever US cleansweep within the 100m, during which American Christian Coleman might be defending his title after being banned from Tokyo for lacking three doping exams.
© 2022 AFP
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