Reigning world 100 meters champion Noah Lyles made a powerful statement at the US Olympic athletics trials on Saturday, effortlessly advancing to the 100m semi-finals by winning his preliminary heat in 9.92 seconds. Competing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, Lyles marked his first steps toward the 100m event at the Paris Olympics with a dominant performance.

Lyles, 26, emerged as the fastest overall qualifier for the semi-finals, showcasing his speed and form. Christian Coleman, the 2019 100m world champion, followed closely, securing his spot with a time of 9.99 seconds. Lyles' impressive run sets the stage for a potential redemption arc after his disappointing finish in the Tokyo Olympics, where he failed to make the 100m final and settled for bronze in the 200m.

Reflecting on his journey since the last Olympic trials, Lyles expressed relief and happiness. "It has been three years since we've been at an Olympic trials," he said. "It has been a long time for a long time." Lyles also candidly spoke about his struggles with depression leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, highlighting his current positive mindset. "I'm glad to be happy," he remarked. "I'm glad to be out here. I'm glad to be racing and feeling all right with myself."

**Heat Details:**
The top five finishers from each of the five heats, along with the next two fastest runners, advanced to the semi-finals. Lyles secured his win in the opening heat by a margin of 0.08 seconds over Kenny Bednarek, with a 0.2m/sec tailwind aiding their performances. Despite a false start by Cravon Gillespie, Lyles maintained his composure, following his coach's advice to reset and remain calm.

Lyles emphasized the importance of a strong start, focusing on making his first 10 steps powerful and open. "I had to make sure that my first 10 steps were powerful and open and after that I stood up," he explained. Confident in his lead by 60 meters, Lyles eased off to conserve energy for the upcoming rounds. "I knew I had the race in me. I knew I had it clear by 60 meters, which is why I ran more 60s this indoor season. And from there I just shut it down."

Aiming for multiple gold medals, Lyles is set to defend his titles in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics. He also hopes to compete in the 4x400m relay, although his participation in that event remains uncertain.

Noah Lyles' confident performance at the US Olympic trials signals a promising start to his campaign for the Paris Olympics. As he advances to the semi-finals, the world will be watching to see if he can continue his winning streak and achieve his ambitious goals.