Noah Lyles is halfway to his dream of winning four Olympic gold medals at the Paris Olympics. He clinched his second spot in Paris by clocking a blazing 9.83 seconds to win the 100 m at the US trials on June 23, 2024. Hot on his heels were Kenny Bednarek, clocking 9.87 seconds, and Fred Kerley, finishing in 9.88 seconds.
With this performance, Lyles has locked in his spots for both the 100m and the 4x100m relay, marking his halfway point toward a potential ‘4 Peat.’ However, snagging gold in the relay poses a unique challenge: ending Team USA’s 24-year drought in this event. But Noah Lyles has made a promise to America that he’s determined to make happen.
Noah Lyles’ ‘4 Peat’ ambition will end this American track and field drought at the Olympics
After their 100-meter race at the 2024 US Track and Field Olympic trials, Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Fred Kerley gathered for a post-race press conference, which CITIUS MAG shared on YouTube. One moment stood out when they were asked about Team USA’s long dry spell in the 4x100m relay at the Olympics—24 years without a gold. Kenny Bednarek kept it simple: “All I can say is that we just need to keep things simple, and we’ll get the job done.”
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Noah Lyles echoed his sentiment, saying, “Yeah, I agree. I mean, we had a great world relays. We’re faster now. I think that proves that if we keep it the same, or as close as we can to the same, we’re going to see great results.” The last time Team USA clinched gold was way back in Sydney in 2000, with Jon Drummond, Bernard Williams, Brian Lewis, and Maurice Greene leading the charge.
Since then, the title has passed through Great Britain (2004), Trinidad and Tobago (2008), Jamaica (2012 and 2016), and most recently Italy (2020). As we reflect on this challenge for Team USA in 2024 at the Olympics, let’s see how the men have shown great promise with their global dominance in the event.
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How did Team USA’s men’s 4x100m relay team claim world dominance and their ticket to Paris?
The USA men’s 4x100m relay team showed their global dominance in style on May 4 at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas. Both the men’s and women’s US teams crushed their heats, snagging spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In the men’s competition, fans got to see an epic showdown between Olympic champions Italy and the world champions USA. Courtney Lindsey kicked things off for the USA, handing the baton to Kenny Bednarek.
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It was a thrilling second leg as Bednarek went head-to-head with Italy’s Marcell Jacobs, the Olympic 100-meter champion. Kyree King then took over before passing it to Noah Lyles, the “3 Peat” world champion, who sprinted the anchor leg. Lyles left Italy’s Filippo Tortu in the dust, with the USA winning in a world-leading 37.49 seconds, more than half a second ahead of Italy’s 38.14. Brazil, the 2019 World Relays winners, finished third in 38.79.
Their success at the Bahamas Relays, combined with their ongoing strategic preparation and consistent performances, makes it clear that the USA men’s 4x100m relay team is a force to be reckoned with. With the confidence Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek have shown for Team USA, do you believe they have what it takes to break this 24-year-old drought? Share your thoughts below!
