Noah Lyles breaks Michael Johnson's U.S. record that stood since 1996

Noah Lyles knew he had run the best race of his life — and maybe the best 200 meters any American had ever run.

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He finished so far ahead of the other runners in Thursday night's final at the World Athletics Championships that after crossing the finish line

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he turned to stare down his only true opponent: the clock.

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But for agonizing moments, the on-field clock stubbornly showed Lyles' unofficial time as 19.32.

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The mark would elate any other runner in the world, but it was also the same time Michael Johnson set in the 200 meters at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

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Since then, it has seemed unassailable. Until now.

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Lyles, 25, stood with his hands on his hips, staring.

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He walked over to the clock at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., talking to it.

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Watch my prevous story Dancing with the Stars' Witney Carson

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