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Noah Lyles' 200m world record dismissed

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 7/16/2020 11:53:10 AM

Noah Lyles’ 200m ‘world record’ at the 2020 Inspiration Games has been dismissed, after it was confirmed that he had only ran 185 metres. The American track and field athlete stunned organisers of the Zurich-based virtual competition when he crossed the line in 18.90 seconds, beating his previous personal best of 19.50 seconds. The victory, which would have overthrown the 19.19 second world record of Usain Bolt, was quickly met with disbelief. 'That cannot be right, can it?' said BBC commentator and former British Olympic middle-distance runner Steve Cram. His co-commentator and fellow former Olympic athlete, Colin Jackson, was equally skeptical. 'We’d have to take a check of that wind speed, Steve,' he said. 'He was miles in front of everybody, that’s for sure!' Just a few minutes later, Cram revealed that a major error had occurred. Race organisers had placed Lyles in the incorrect lane, which gave him a head start of 15 metres.