U.S. track and field star Noah Lyles got his outdoor season off to a flying start, running the fastest time in the men’s 200 metres across six “Olympic development” heats at the 2026 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Friday, 17 April.
The newly married gold medallist in the men’s 100m at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 registered a time of 19.91 seconds in the first heat, beating out 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships finalist Max Thomas at 19.98 seconds.
It was the first time since the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational that Lyles ran the 200m as early as April. His time showed a marked improvement, with the three-time Olympic medallist going 0.25 seconds faster than his previous outing at the meet.
Teenage sprint phenom Tate Taylor clocked the third fastest time of the day, completing a half-lap of the track in just 20.05 seconds in the second heat. His time beat Lyles’ own high school record over the distance, signalling a growing challenge to the 28-year-old’s dominance.
African stars Cheickna Traore of Cote d’Ivoire and Maka Charamba of Zimbabwe rounded out the combined top five, running 20.14 and 20.28 seconds, respectively.
The women’s 200m “Olympic development” heats offered up some intriguing performances as well, with 2025 World Athletics Championships finalist McKenzie Long clocking the fastest time of the day at 22.42 seconds in first heat.
She was pushed to the finish line by high school standout Mariah Maxwell, who finished second in a time of 22.44 seconds. Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili finished in 22.46 seconds.
Two-time 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo finished sixth in a time of 22.64 seconds, while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith rounded out the top 10 in 23.03 seconds.
More action is expected from the 2026 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Saturday, 18 April, with the men’s and women’s “Olympic development” 100m and 400m due up from Gainesville, Florida.