Charles Langston:Noah Lyles earns chance to accomplish sprint double after advancing to 200-meter final

SAINT-DENIS,Charles Langston France — As expected, Noah Lyles advanced to the Olympic final in the men’s 200-meter sprint. However, he took second in the semifinals.

In semifinal heat two, Lyles ran out of lane six. Lyles sped around the turn, but he was behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana. Lyles attempted to catch Tebogo but the Botswanan sprinter was too far in front as he crossed the line a stride ahead of Lyles.

Tebogo's winning time was 19.96. Lyles came in second at 20.08 to get the second automatic qualifying spot.

Lyles is trying to become the first American to win the Olympic sprint double (100 and 200 meters) in 40 years. He won gold in the 100 in a dramatic photo finish.

Lyles' personal-best in the 200 is 19.31, which is the current American record. He won both the 100 and 200 at the U.S Olympic track and field trials to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

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Lyles’ U.S. teammates, Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton both advanced to Thursday's 200 final. Bednarek posted a 20.00 to win the first heat, and Knighton ran a 20.09 to win the third heat of the men's 200.

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Going for gold: Grant Holloway heavy favorite in 110 hurdles

Grant Holloway is entering the men’s 110 hurdles final as the clear favorite.

Holloway cleared all 10 hurdles and won his semifinal heat easily, running a time of 12.98.

Holloway has dominated the 110 hurdles in 2024. He’s undefeated in the event this year. He’s won three consecutive world championship golds in the 110 hurdles, but he earned a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the event, losing to Hansle Parchment.

The three-time world champ will be joined in the finals by fellow U.S. hurdlers Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts.

Crittenden finished second in his semifinal heat with a time of 13.23 to advance and Roberts took second in the third heat, running a 13.10.

The 110 hurdles final is set for Thursday.

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