Noah Lyles (R) of the United States competes during the men's 200m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
PARIS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Newly crowned Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles said Monday that he has unfinished business in the 200m before he can celebrate his new title as the fastest man on earth.
Less than 24 hours after winning 100m gold in Paris, Lyles returned to the track on Monday for the first round of the men's 200m.
The 27-year-old American finished the heat in 20.19 seconds to comfortably qualify for Wednesday's semifinals.
"There is almost an expectation I have built up over the years of people knowing this is what I want to be," Lyles said.
"I can't really enjoy it yet because when you're a champion, and you've got multiple races to do, you can't celebrate until you get the job done. As for sleep, that's not until the relays are over.
"Last night I didn't get to bed until 02:45. I couldn't stop watching the race. But I was up by 07:00. My body's got this damn clock that wakes up then because that's when practice is every day."
Lyles has claimed the past two 200m world titles, winning last year's final in Budapest with a time of 19.52, 0.23 second faster than the silver medalist Erriyon Knighton.
He is content with being the hunted rather than the hunter, seemingly impervious to the pressure of the sport's biggest stage.
"I know a lot of people are trying to make a move on me," he said. "I know they are going to try to set themselves up to win it. But I am going to win the race at 120m, I am going to win at 150m, and from there I am going to take the race to the line."
Lyles left no doubt which event is his favorite, stressing he had primed himself for the 200m.
"It is because it uses all my abilities," he said. "I've spent years working on the 100m, but the 200m is where it's at. This is where I get to show I am stronger than everybody else." ■
Gold medalist Noah Lyles of United States reacts during the victory ceremony of the men's 100m of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Gold medalist Noah Lyles (C) of United States, silver medalist Kishane Thompson (L) of Jamaica and bronze medalist Fred Kerley of the United States react during the victory ceremony of the men's 100m of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Erriyon Knighton (R) of the United States competes during the men's 200m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Noah Lyles (C) of the United States reacts before the men's 200m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Noah Lyles (R) of the United States competes during the men's 200m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Kenneth Bednarek (R) of the United States competes during the men's 200m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Erriyon Knighton (L) of the United States competes during the men's 200m round 1 of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
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