South African Akani Simbine won the 100 metres in a world-leading 9.90 seconds at the Atlanta City Games, while American Noah Lyles shone in the 150 metres.
Running into a headwind on a makeshift track, Simbine cruised through the finish line a tenth of a second ahead of Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala, with American Kendal Williams finishing third in 10.05.
The performance was three-hundredths of a second faster than the previous lead, set by American teenager Christian Miller in April. The Atlanta organizers noted the event avoids a traditional stadium in favour using a temporary straightaway and part of the city’s urban Piedmont Park.
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The 100 and 200 metres world champion Lyles proved lethal in the rarely run 150 metres distance, pulling away through the second half to cross the finish a quarter of a second ahead of Britain’s Zharnel Hughes.
Lyles, a bronze medallist in Tokyo, smiled widely after the finish and bowed to the fans, crediting his current form to his mental health.
“I ain’t got depression,” he told an on-track reporter. “Makes a big difference. Makes a huge difference. So I’m hyped, I’m excited, I come out here – I get excited when I see the fans.”
Lyles has kept a busy schedule in 2024, winning the 100 metres at the Bermuda Grand Prix in April before travelling to the World Relays in the Bahamas earlier this month.
SOURCE: Rueters
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
