The final four days of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials featured world-leading records, performances in the men's and women's 200m, Grant Holloway's performance, a season's best in the shot put by Chase Jackson and a near-unison run by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone that led to a new world record.
There were plenty of highlights in the second half of the trials, and USA TODAY Sports presents some highlights and lowlights from the final four days of winners and losers.
winner
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone breaks her own world record
It was inevitable that McLaughlin-Levrone would make it to the top of this list. McLaughlin-Levrone is must-watch TV every time he hits the track.
McLaughlin-Levrone, running in her specialty, was a breeze in the 400m hurdles. She took first place in all 10 hurdle events. Until the very end, the only thing that could compete with her was her own world record.
When McLaughlin-Levrone crossed the line, she had indeed broken her own world record, clocking 50.65 seconds. She is the only woman in history to have broken 51 seconds in the 400m hurdles, and has done so twice.
Grant Holloway on a mission
Holloway had a message for the 110m hurdle competitors at the Paris Olympics: Holloway looked invincible at the Olympic Trials.
The three-time world champion saved his best for the final, winning the gold medal in a world-leading time of 12.86 seconds, his second-fastest time ever.
Holloway is on target to win his first Olympic gold medal this year after placing second at the Tokyo Olympics.
Noah Lyles wins his second consecutive sprint victory in Paris
Lyles appeared in USA Today Sports' inaugural Winners and Losers feature, where he was named the winner again after winning the gold medal in the 200 meters.
Lyles was trailing Kenny Bednarek at the 100-meter mark, but Lyles stepped up a gear in the final 75 meters and, unable to catch Bednarek, overtook him to take first place in a meet record and world-leading time of 19.53.
Lyles' acceleration and final phase are the best in a sprint.
The sprinter heads to Paris full of confidence: He's the world champion in the 100 and 200 meters, having just won both events at the U.S. Trials.
Masai Russell's record-breaking performance
Russell made his debut in the 100m hurdles. The 24-year-old won a highly competitive 100m hurdles final.
Russell's gold medal-winning time of 12.25 was the fastest time in the world this year, breaking the meet record set by Gail Devers 24 years ago.
Gabby Thomas wins the 200
Thomas recorded the world's fastest time in the 200 meters on Friday, and on Saturday she proved herself a gold medal contender.
Thomas won the women's 200m final in 21.81 seconds against a strong field of competitors.
The Harvard University graduate completed her run in lane eight, rounded the turn in first place and finished in first place, about two strides ahead of the other competitors.
loser
Eugene, Oregon
The Trials have been held eight times now at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene, affectionately known as “Track Town, USA.” But despite the city's rich athletics history, many in attendance were feeling Eugene fatigue.
Hotel accommodations are limited, transportation to the airport in Eugene is difficult, and there isn't much to do after the track and field meet.
Los Angeles will host the Olympics in 2028. While there are doubts about whether the Los Angeles Coliseum will be able to host the games, the timing seems perfect for USA Track and Field to hold the 2028 Olympic Trials in Southern California.
Changing of the Guard
The 100-meter hurdles have seen the emergence of younger athletes, as former world champion Nia Ali (35) and American record holder Keni Harrison (31) failed to qualify in the event, with Ali finishing fourth and Harrison sixth.
Masai Russell (24), Aleisha Johnson (27) and Grace Stark (23), who came in first, second and third respectively, are all making their Olympic debut.
Bad luck
Christian Coleman
Coleman went into the qualifying rounds as a favorite to medal in the 100 metres, but finished fourth, missing out on the final qualifying spot. Coleman had a chance to make the team again in the second event, the 200 metres, but finished a feared fourth in a time of 19.89 seconds, just missing out on one of the three automatic spots.
But there's good news for Coleman: He'll likely be selected for the U.S. team's 4×100 relay pool.
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