If missing last week’s Diamond League in Monaco made Lyles’ fans nervous, there was no need to panic yesterday at the London Olympic Stadium as the American urged South African sprint ‘god’ – Akani Simbine to win the men’s 100m.
Lyles crossed the line in 9.81 seconds ahead of Simbine [9.86] and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana [9.88].
According to the World Athletics Championships gold medallist he was hoping to finish below the 9.80 mark but the wind did not come to his aid.
“A PB and getting faster before Paris. I wanted to dip under the 9.80 – I thought I was going to get a wind like everyone else.
“I know exactly where I am ahead of Paris. I knew we’d be getting more eyes on us, I’ve been waiting for this for six years! I live for the biggest moments, the more eyes the better I perform.
“As soon as I get on the stage when the TV is on and people are watching, I perform.
“I’m very excited for the relay, we’ve all been together talking about the World Record but we’ve got to get those sticks around and we’ve got to get them around cleanly and that’s what we’ve been doing the most – communicating.”
By Eric Ansong Okyere
