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South African sprinter Akani Simbine set the fastest time of the season in the 100 meters at the Atlanta Athletics Championships. The 31-year-old South African finished the royal event in 9.86 seconds, improving his best time of the year from an April meet in Botswana by four hundredths of a second.
Despite public expectations that such races carry pressure and high expectations, Simbine stressed that he is a person who does not see things that way. His races are primarily focused on having fun on the tracks, and it seems that such a mindset also brings him good results.
"It's no pressure," a breathless, smiling Simbine told NBC after his victory. "I get to come enjoy something that is no stress; just run and have fun. I wasn't expecting that [time] at all. Crazy."
Track and field star Noah Lyles: Injury
Track and field star Noah Lyles is also expected to compete at the Atlanta meet. Last year's Paris Olympic 100-meter champion had planned to compete in the 150 meters, but withdrew from the event due to injury.
The 27-year-old Lyles hopes to recover in time for the U.S. Championships, which will be held between July 31 and August 3. The event will also select American athletes for this year's World Championships from September 13 to 21.
Lyles said he should have been part of the race, but the tight ankle was a barrier for him. He knew he couldn't take any chances, aware of the consequences of the wrong approach.
"Unfortunately, I just have a really tight ankle. It kind of surprised us a couple of weeks ago," Lyles admitted in an on-air discussion with NBC. "We came up [to Atlanta] thinking that anything could happen, it could loosen up. [But] it wasn't getting better and I need to play it safe. ... It's just a little inflammation."
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