American Noah Lyles on Friday became the fourth-fastest man in history over 200m with a stunning Diamond League victory in 19.50 seconds at Lausanne.
The 21-year-old was expected to face a close challenge from Andre de Grasse, but the Canadian was left trailing in third as Lyles laid down a serious marker ahead of September’s World Championships in Doha.
“Oh my God, would it be crazy if I said yes?” Lyles said when asked if he expected to run so fast. “The Worlds — I’ve been waiting for this since 2017, for so long, but I have no pressure as I have never participated in a big championship.”
Only world record holder Usain Bolt (19.19 seconds), his fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake (19.26 seconds) and four-time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Johnson (19.32 seconds) have run quicker.
Lyles will now have the US Track and Field Championships, which run from July 25 to 28 in Iowa, in his sights.
“I was even disappointed that the trials are postponed until July [from last month],” he said. “It makes we wait even more and I want to show that I’m the best.”
Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce powered to a dominant victory in the 100m to confirm her return to the upper echelons of sprinting, while reigning world champion Justin Gatlin won the men’s race.
The 32-year-old Jamaican, on the comeback trail after taking time away from the sport to give birth to her son, clocked 10.74 seconds to beat European champion Dina Asher-Smith in second.
She won the 100m gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, before having to settle for bronze behind compatriot Thompson in Rio de Janeiro three years ago.
Fraser-Pryce is to be a contender for a medal at Worlds if she can maintain this form.
US veteran Gatlin proved he is still capable of defending his world 100m title later this year with a second consecutive Diamond League win.
The controversial 37-year-old, who has twice served doping bans in his career, claimed victory in 9.92 seconds.
Earlier, Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser made it four women’s 400m victories from as many Diamond League races this year.
Nigerien Aminatou Seyni pushed her all the way, but Naser won in 49.17 seconds, smashing the previous Lausanne record of 49.45 seconds set in 1996.
Seyni was a relatively unknown just two weeks ago, but has since improved her personal best by an incredible one-and-a-half seconds.
Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet suffered an embarrassing mishap during men’s 5,000m, crossing the line with his arms raised in celebration — but with a lap still remaining.
His compatriot Yomif Kejelcha took full advantage, showing little sympathy to take the victory in 13 minutes, 0.56 seconds as Gebrhiwet was forced to settle for 10th.
MARRED FINAL: As most of Senegalese players walked off the pitch after a controversial decision, some supporters threw objects and attempted to get onto the pitch Senegal on Sunday won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner sunk hosts Morocco 1-0 after a chaotic final that saw the eventual champions storm off the pitch late in the game. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with a controversial spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time as ugly scenes broke out in the stands. However, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted “Panenka” chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.
James Harden on Friday scored 31 points and came up big in overtime to help the Los Angeles Clippers erase a double-digit deficit on the way to a 121-117 NBA victory over the Toronto Raptors. Harden scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Clippers pushed their wining steak to five games despite the absence of star Kawhi Leonard with a sprained right ankle. The Clippers trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but Harden drilled a pair of free-throws with 1:24 left in regulation to tie it and after misses from both teams, they went to
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
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