American Noah Lyles briefly appeared to have set an astonishing new 200 metres world record of 18.90 seconds in the Inspiration Games, before it was revealed he ran only 185 metres.
The BBC reports Lyles' time would have obliterated the 19.19-seconds mark set by Jamaican great Usain Bolt back in 2009.
Around five minutes later BBC commentator Steve Cram revealed world champion Lyles, running on his own in Florida, had started from the wrong lane and ran 15 metres less than his rivals at other tracks.
Athletes competed from different venues around the world with starting guns firing simultaneously and athletes' efforts shown alongside each other on television in a split-screen broadcast.
Lyles was removed from the race results and victory in the three-man race was handed to Christophe Lemaitre instead.
[Source: BBC Sports]
