Track and field recap, Aug. 3: Noah Lyles makes Paris Olympic debut

RESULTS

Noah Lyles set sail on his mission for his first Olympic gold medal in Saturday's heats, posting a time of 10.04 seconds to advance. Lyles actually finished second in the heat, which Great Britain's Louie Hinchliffe won in 9.98 seconds.

"I felt like my first 10 meters was pretty good," Lyles said. "But I didn't put enough effort on the acceleration. The moment is pretty big. I'm excited.

I'm not gonna lie, I downplayed my competitors. It won't happen again. I'm scared for everyone else right now.

All of Lyles' top competition was in action, too, starting with his U.S. teammates. Kenny Bednarek, who said "I'm gonna get [Lyles] next time]" at U.S. Trials in June, posted a 9.97-second heat to advance.

"This year, I am changing the narrative," Bednarek said. "I have been an underdog for a couple of years, but I am not trying to be an underdog. I am trying to be the top dog. 

"And once I finally get that milestone, I am not coming back. I am going to run away with it.”

Fred Kerley, the Tokyo 100m silver medalist, advanced easily, as well, in 9.97 seconds.

Jamaican star Kishane Thompson, who logged this season's fastest time (9.77 seconds)coasted his way to victory in the first heat of the day in 10.00 seconds. Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala dominated his heat in 10.08 seconds, and Jamaican Oblique Seville hit 9.99 to move on. And Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes (10.03) and Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (10.01) are through.

Defending Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs won gold in Tokyo but has slogged through the last few seasons with injuries. The Italian ran a 10.05-second heat to qualify for the semifinals, but his race was a battle.