As impossible as it may seem, for someone so declarative about his dominance, Noah Lyles was caught slipping.
In his Olympic debut in the 100-meter dash, Lyles ran 10.04, his slowest time in over a year. He still qualified for the semifinals, finishing second in his heat to Great Britain’s burgeoning mulleted star Louie Hinchliffe. But he got a critical lesson in Olympic sprinting.
“These boys said they’re coming to play,” Lyles said afterward. “I guess that’s my first lesson in underestimating the power of the Olympics. When someone‘s on the line, they’re gonna give it their all or nothing.”
That someone was Hinchliffe, who got a great start and led the whole way. Lyles, who said he didn’t want to overdo it, usually makes up deficits by the final 20 meters. But he couldn’t catch Hinchliffe.
GO FURTHER
Noah Lyles learns lesson in Olympics 100m heats: ‘These boys are coming to play’
