'I was running it like a final' - Noah Lyles announces plans to skip 100m semis to focus on the 200m at US Championships

Following another impressive performance to win his 100m heats and kick-start his 2025 US Track and Field Championships campaign, Noah Lyles has revealed his plans for the rest of the meet.

The reigning Olympic champion conveniently won his 100m heats in a respectable 10.05s (0.1), edging a quick-starting Ronnie Baker, who was second in 10.07s, while NCAA Champion Jordan Anthony was third in 10.14s.

In a post-race interview, Lyles talked about his intentions for the rest of the championship.

"I was running it like a final. I don't see any reason to come out here right now, I mean I'm going to have one round in the 100, two rounds in the 200, and I'm in pretty shape in terms of endurance-wise, rest and recovery, so there's no reason to really back off...I'm going to run the 200 final because it's on Sunday," he said in an interview with Citius Mag.

Lyles will be gunning to defend his 200m title, having won four of the last five national titles.

He opened his season with a statement victory at the Monaco Diamond League, clocking 19.88s to defeat Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo. Then at the London Diamond League, he powered to a Season's Best (SB) of 10.00s to finish second behind Oblique Seville.

Regardless of skipping the 100m semifinals and final, Lyles will be selected for Team USA in both events as he’s the reigning World 100m and 200m champion.