Noah Lyles ran a 19.31 in the 200m final at the World Athletics Championship at Hayward Field on Thursday, July 21, in Eugene, Oregon making him one of the fastest men in America.
The previous record of 19.32 was made by the legend Michael Johnson in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Just so happened, Michael Johnson was working as a commentator for BBC Sports at the race, and he witnessed Noah break his record.
Michael came down to the track and congratulated Noah.
Noah started focusing on breaking the record the summer after winning a disappointing bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
All his hard work paid off in Oregon on Thursday, with his family cheering him on.
Ironically, his unofficial time came in as 19.32, which would’ve tied Michael’s record.
After sweet talking the clock, Noah’s wish came true.
I was telling it to give me some slack, you know?
How’s it going to show the same time, 19.32?
Come on, change that.
Shortly after, Noah’s official time came back as 19.31, and he officially became the fastest man in America in the 200m.
See the full 200m race below:
Noah’s time was the third fastest time in history behind Usain Bolt’s 19.19 in 2019 and Yohan Blake’s 19.26 in 2011.
Congratulations to Noah Lyles and the U.S. men’s team for sweeping the 200m in Oregon.
Source: NPR
