Lyles, Sha'Carri, Hassan take Olympic track on a wild ride. A look at winners and losers in Paris

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Between the Noah Lyles drama in the sprints and distance demon Sifan Hassan's 62-kilometer odyssey that wrapped up with a gold medal, track and field took the Olympics on a wild ride over 10 days of close calls, upsets and drama.

In summing up the winners and losers from the meet that featured another world record for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and three gold-medal performances from Gabby Thomas, maybe the biggest winner was track itself.

Struggling for eyeballs in a post-Usain Bolt world, the sport got terrific shows from Lyles, who battled COVID, and from Sha'Carri Richardson, who put a stamp, and a stomp, on the U.S. 4x100-meter relay gold in a visceral reminder that she is very compelling TV.

As much as the personalities, it was the dramatic finishes and the buzz on the track that made it hard to turn away.

“One night, I had Snoop Dogg on one side of me and Simone Biles on the other and she said ‘I had no idea people ran that quickly,’” said Sebastian Coe, the leader of World Athletics. “The sport became cool. It's the first time my kids have thought anything I've done on the planet was cool.”

Track will open the Olympics, not close them, four years from now at the LA Olympics. If that meet goes anything like this one, those Games will be well on their way to success.

A look at some winners and losers from the Olympic track meet in Paris:

Hassan is never going to draw the eyeballs of, say, a Lyles or Richardson. Maybe she should. Trading elbows as she glided past her last remaining competition in the marathon was one heck of a way to close out track at the Olympics.

Hassan won gold and here’s her tally over the last two Olympics:

—Bronze in the 1,500 (2021).

—Gold (2021) and bronze (2024) in the 5,000.

—Gold (2021) and bronze (2024) in the 10,000.

—Gold in the marathon Sunday.

Over the span of two Olympics, she ran more than 86.5 kilometers.

Could there be a legit track rivalry brewing between Lyles, who lost in his best race, the 200, to Letsile Tebogo of Botswana? Someone asked the new champion if he wanted to someday be the “face of track" — a role Lyles is clearly is angling for.

“I think, for me, I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah," Tebogo said.

Though the stakes weren't that high — Olympic medals aren't life and death — Lyles' bout with COVID changed his Olympics, altered the vibe at the track meet (for a night, at least) and reminded the world that the virus will never go away.

Hard to call someone a loser who walks out of Paris holding a gold medal.

But the mind games he played with Britain's Josh Kerr clearly got to Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1,500 meters. For the third straight time in a major championship, he couldn’t win what's largely seen as track's marquee distance race.

Four days after finishing fourth, Ingebrigtsen mentally rebooted to win the 5,000 meters in convincing fashion.

“When you hit a wall, and don’t perform the way you want to, it’s very difficult,” Ingebrigtsen said. “I got another shot, I just had to make the most of it.”

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone makes the 400-meter hurdles look so easy. She finished in 50.37 seconds to break the world record for a sixth time, then followed up with a 47.71 split in America’s romp through the women’s 4x400.

The 50-second barrier awaits.

Armando Duplantis had clinched a gold medal much earlier, but he was still holding his pole and staring at a bar higher than any human had ever cleared in the pole vault.

Duplantis, the Louisiana-born 24-year-old who competes for his mother’s native Sweden, cleared 6.25 meter s (20 feet, 6 inches) to break the world record for the ninth time — but the first time at the Olympics.

Hurdles don't look like much of a hurdle to some of these athletes, Coe says, before suggesting he's heard calls for an idea that is likely bound to go nowhere.

“The only thing I would say is, there’s probably a case now for looking at the height of the hurdles,” he said. “These guys don’t really look like they’re breaking their form very much to do that.”

Currently, the women's hurdles in the 400 are set at 30 inches high and the men's are at 36.

The U.S. won 34 medals and 14 golds, matching numbers not seen since the 1960s and before.

Lyles, Richardson, McLaughlin-Levrone and Thomas are the obvious candidates to become bigger than the game.

“But those athletes who have competed here have been mobbed walking out of the stadium and they're still walking through their own hometowns in anonymity,” Coe said of the general lack of love for track in the U.S. outside of the Olympics. “That we need to address. ”

Track has four years to figure out its U.S. problem. One issue — track fans in the States who hope to catch all these stars-in-the-making on TV will really have to hunt around.

NBC's contract to stream many of track's major meets, the Diamond League, comes to an end in 2024, replaced by a track website that will charge a hefty monthly fee to watch the action.

Thomas wasn't the only track athlete disappointed with this news when it landed in teh spring.

“This might be the worst news I've heard from the diamond league since ... ever," she said on social media.

Coe said there's a fine line between finding new ways to distribute track's best races and making sure the average fans can find them on old-fashioned TV. The future of track in the U.S. could very well depend on it.

“This is our moment,” Coe said. “We can’t sort of allow this to glidepath gently into anything other than a really successful 2028.”

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Gold medalist, Tara Davis-Woodhall, of the United States, celebrates after winning the women's long jump final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of silver medalist Anna Cockrell, of the United States, center, and bronze medalist Femke Bol, of the Netherlands, right, in the women's 400 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Sha'carri Richardson, of the United States, crosses the finish line to win the women's 4 x 100 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Rai Benjamin, of the United States, competes during the men's 400-meter hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Rai Benjamin, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 400 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

gold medalist Rai Benjamin, of the United States, celebrates while Silver medalist Karsten Warholm, of Norway, reacts in the background, after finishing the men's 400 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the women's marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, right, wins the men's 200-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, of Norway, celebrates after winning the men's 5000-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the women's marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Alexis Holmes runs after taking over the baton from teammate Gabby Thomas, right, to win the gold medal in the women's 4 x 400 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gabby Thomas, Sydney Michelle McLaughlin, Alexis Holmes and Shamier Little, of the United States, pose after winning the gold medal in the women's 4 x 400 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, of Norway, celebrates after winning the men's 5000-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Rai Benjamin, of the United States, celebrates after winning the men's 4 x 400-meter relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Men's 200-meter bronze medalist, Noah Lyles, of the United States, stands on the podium at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Rai Benjamin, of the United States, crosses the finish line for his men's 4x400-meter relay team to win the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Snoop Dogg, right, Sebastian Coe and Simone Biles, attend the the track and field events at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, of the United States, poses after winning the gold medal in the women's 400 meters hurdles final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone hands off to Gabrielle Thomas, of the United States, during the women's 4 x 400-meter relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Sha'carri Richardson, of the United States, crosses the finish line to win the women's 4 x 100 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Cellphone records show that the suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump was near the golf course for about 12 hours before being confronted by a Secret Service agent, according to court documents unsealed Monday.

Officials said in the documents that Ryan Routh’s cellphone was shown near tree line at Trump’s golf course from 1:59 a.m. until 1:31 p.m. on Sunday. A Secret Service agent shot at Routh after seeing his rifle through the tree line. Routh fled in an SUV being being arrested by local law enforcement in a neighboring county.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged Monday with federal gun crimes, making his first court appearance in the final weeks of a White House race already touched by violence.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, faces charges of possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Additional and more serious charges are possible as the investigation continues and Justice Department prosecutors seek an indictment from a grand jury.

Routh appeared briefly in federal court in West Palm Beach, where he answered perfunctory questions about his work status and income. Shackled and wearing a blue jumpsuit, he smiled as he spoke with a public defender and reviewed documents ahead of the initial appearance. The lawyer declined to comment after the hearing ended.

Routh was arrested Sunday afternoon after authorities spotted a firearm poking out of shrubbery on the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing. Prosecutors asked that he remain locked up as a flight risk. A federal magistrate set additional hearings for later this month.

The authorities did not immediately reveal any new details about Routh or allege a particular motive. But he left an online footprint that reveals shifting political views and intense outrage about world events.

“You are free to assassinate Trump,” Routh wrote of Iran in an apparently self-published 2023 book titled “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War,” which described the former president as a “fool” and “buffoon” for both the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots and the “tremendous blunder” of leaving the Iran nuclear deal.

Routh wrote that he once voted for Trump and must take part of the blame for the “child that we elected for our next president that ended up being brainless.”

He also tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and he had a website seeking to raise money and recruit volunteers to fight for Kyiv.

Court records obtained by The Associated Press show Routh was convicted of multiple felony offenses, including two charges of possessing stolen goods in 2002 in North Carolina.

Speaking in a soft voice in court, he said that he was working and making around $3,000 a month, but has zero savings.

Routh said that he has no real estate or assets, aside from two trucks worth about $1,000, both located in Hawaii. He also said that he has a 25-year-old son, whom he sometimes supports.

Secret Service agents stationed a few holes up from where Trump was playing golf noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away.

An agent fired and Routh dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, an aiming scope and a GoPro camera, authorities said. Routh was later stopped by law enforcement in a neighboring county.

It was the second apparent assassination attempt targeting Trump in as many months.

On July 13, a bullet grazed Trump's ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Eight days later, Democratic President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, giving way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the party’s nominee.

Tucker, Durkin Richer and Long reported from Washington.

Officers with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office work outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

A vehicle with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office is parked outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Law enforcement officials work outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

An FBI officer works outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

An FBI officer works outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Trump International Golf Club is shown, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

An FBI officer works outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Trump International Golf Club is shown after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Trump International Golf Club is shown, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)