Christian Coleman walked into the trials as one of the in-form runners of 2024. But that meant nothing. First, he lost out on his ticket for the 100m trial final to Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednareck, and Fred Kerley. Still, he had hopes for the 200m. Unfortunately, that too was crushed on June 29.

With a 19.89 finish timing, he earned the fourth position. And as per the rules, only the top three get to go to Paris. So while Noah Lyles hit the jackpot in 100m and 200m, Christian Coleman, the world’s sixth-fastest man, had to leave the stage with his head down. What caused Coleman’s trials disappointment after starting the season with a win at the World Athletics Indoor Championship? Noah Lyles may have the answer.

Noah Lyles shares why mental preparation is important!

In a post-race conversation with NBC during the Olympic trials, Lyles said, “Usually, I don’t feel pressure because I’m just out there having fun. All I gotta do is be me … I constantly tell kids, ‘Be yourself,’ and if people see that as being corny, shoot, I’m corny. But guess what? I’m winning while being corny.”

Meanwhile, Simone Biles also admitted that there is mental heaviness created by the trials. She is also in her trials for the Paris Olympics and considering the anxiety she faced in Tokyo, she knows how important it is to feel mentally prepared.

Explaining that part, she said, “It’s stressful. It’s heavy. I feel like a lot of us have cotton mouth because we’re so stressed out. But you know, it’s one of the best pressure situations to be in going into the Olympics because I feel like if we can do this, then we can do anything.”

But coming back to Coleman, people aren’t sure what went wrong. Before the trials, the athlete looked confident. In fact, the 100m event is considered Christian Coleman’s specialty, where he clinched his world championship title in 2019. However, the setback in the trials appeared to unsettle the 28-year-old sprinter.

Putting those emotions into words, he said, “In football you get a next quarter, you get a next play, a next game, Super Bowl next year. But like for us, you know what I’m saying, it’s lot different. So, I don’t know man, it’s just a part of the sport.” After his absence from the Tokyo Olympics trials because of suspension for missing the drug test, this time as well, Christian Coleman is going to miss his Olympic debut. For fans, this is a hard truth to accept.

While crying over his absence, fans still salute Christian Coleman

Despite missing out on spots in the heavily contested events, Christian Coleman didn’t shy away from delivering a memorable performance. During the 100m and 200m trials finals, he came fourth and lost out on the Paris seat very closely. Hence, one fan wrote on X, “My heart hurts for Christian Coleman. I was really looking forward to seeing him in Paris.”

A similar sad tone echoed among the fans who wanted the sprinter in the Paris Olympics. “Praying for Christian Coleman’s mental strength boi,” wrote another fan. Failing to reach the ultimate goal after getting so close would have left him seriously dejected.

However, Coleman’s only chance now is to make it to the 4x100m relay. One fan commented, “Christian Coleman ran a 9.93 and 19.89. Near any other country (beside Jamaica) he prob gets gold at nationals. Doesn’t get on US Olympic team for 100 or 200.” Soon, a fan picked up the baton and gave out a country’s name that may have served Coleman’s purpose. The comment read, “Maybe Christian Coleman need to move to Liberia. 4th in both the 100m and 200m.” 

Meanwhile, another track and field sports follower had a positive outlook. “Christian Coleman getting 4th in the 100m and 200m final is tragic. But atleast he’ll be on that 4×1 team. The lineup should be Coleman, Kerley, Kenny, and Noah.”

This fan may not be wrong, especially considering Christian Coleman’s recent victory as part of the 4x100m relay team at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Fortunately, the American 4x100m relay team has already secured their qualification for the Paris Olympics. Therefore, there remains a possibility that Christian Coleman could earn a spot in the lineup through the discretionary rule. But there is no confirmation.