Lyles wins again at US trials to set up Olympic double

Noah Lyles will pursue the Olympic sprint double in Paris after he won the men's 200 metres at the US trials in 19.53 seconds, the fastest time of the year.

Gabby Thomas put on another flawless performance to win the women's race.

Double world champion Lyles picked up the pace in a thrilling sprint to the finish after Kenny Bednarek got off to a speedy start and looked as though he would pull off an upset with 50 metres to go.

Lyles crossed the line 0.06 seconds ahead of Tokyo Games silver medallist Bednarek. Erriyon Knighton took third in 19.77.

Having won the men's 100m last Sunday, Lyles promised the trio would give international challengers a run for their money in Paris.

"We don't give anything - you've got to take from us," Lyles said.

In the women's 200m, Thomas put on a clinical performance to win in 21.81 seconds, the second-fastest time of the year.

Sha'Carri Richardson's dreams of an Olympic double were dashed, though, when she finished fourth.

Richardson, who won the 100m a week earlier, ran out of steam down the home stretch, crossing in 22.16 as Brittany Brown (21.90) and McKenzie Long (21.91) booked a spot at their first Games.

"I'm just ecstatic," Thomas said.

"It was just such an amazing race."

Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone advanced to the 400m hurdles final with a world-leading time of 52.48 seconds, jogging across the finish 1.68 seconds ahead of Rio gold medallist Dalilah Muhammad.

Alaysha Johnson had the fastest time of the 100m hurdles semi-final heats in 12.36, as Tokyo silver medallist Keni Harrison (12.52) and 2019 world champion Nia Ali (12.55) also advanced.

Lolo Jones, who returned to the trials for the first time in 12 years, finished last in her heat in 14.50.

Tara Davis-Woodhall, the favourite in the long jump, gave her fans a scare as she fouled on her first two attempts in the final and was visibly shaken as she recorded a third attempt of 6.64 metres, far below her best.

The world indoor champion regained her composure for a winning jump of 7.00m on her fifth try.

Jasmine Moore (6.98) finished second and Monae' Nichols (6.86) took third.

World champion Chase Jackson produced her best work of the season to win the women's shot put with a throw of 20.10 metres, while Olympic silver medallist Raven Saunders finished second with 19.90 on her final try.

Jaida Ross was third with 19.60.

Andrew Evans won the men's discus with a best throw of 66.61 metres on his third attempt as Sam Mattis (66.07) and Joseph Brown (65.79) rounded out the podium.

Weini Kelati won the women's 10,000 metres in 31:41.07. Parker Valby was second (31:41.56) and Karissa Schweizer third.

The US Olympic track and field trials conclude on Sunday local time.