The track and field rivalry isn’t always just about Jamaica vs. the US. Sometimes, it’s all about the battle within the States itself. We’ve seen athletes like Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley go head-to-head, whether directly or through subtle digs, over the years. This was especially true before the Paris Olympics, but now that 2025 is here, it’s clear that the tension is far from over.

Just recently, on February 2nd, Lyles took part in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, where he dominated the men’s 60m race, crossing the finish line with a time of 6.52 seconds. Lyles, the reigning Olympic and world 100m champion powered his way to victory, leaving Terrence Jones of the Bahamas in second (6.57s) and P.J. Austin in third (6.60s).

Even Marcell Jacobs, the Tokyo 100m champion from Italy, couldn’t catch up, finishing fourth in 6.63 seconds. Lyles’ win was impressive, but as always, Fred Kerley had something to say. After seeing the race, he shared a story on Instagram—originally posted by @paolobolognesii—where Kerley made a bold comment: “Indoor is indoor. The real dogs come and play outdoors.”

It was one of those comments that stung a little, right? Fred wasn’t outright calling out Noah, but anyone who’s been following their rivalry knows exactly what he meant. It’s a subtle jab, but one that adds some heat to their ongoing competition. And with the 2024 outdoor season starting in March, things are about to get even more intense. Let’s not forget, though—last year, Fred opened up on Noah, throwing some serious shade and making it clear that the triple-world champ shouldn’t mess with him.

Fred Kerley turns up the heat on Noah Lyles with a brutal warning

Last year, Fred Kerley turned up the heat in his rivalry with Noah Lyles, taking things to a whole new level with a brutal warning on Instagram Live. He warned Lyles to stop mentioning his name or risk tensions rising when they meet at any track event. Kerley made it clear that he wasn’t interested in being friends with Lyles, saying, “I don’t f**k with Noah.” He did not beat around the bush at all.

While this was not a surprise given their ongoing tensions, it still was unnatural. No one had predicted that the animosity had reached such a level. But this might have something to do with their personality traits, as Lyles once mentioned. What is going through Fred’s head is yet to be known. But one thing is known for sure: he is ending up with the shorter end of the stick in this rivalry. While Lyles has the gold medal to his name from Paris 2024, Kerley had to settle for third. This might just have something to do with his recent frustration.

And it seems Lyles knows his rival the best. He mentions, “Fred and I are very different. I am very open about my emotions; he is not. Fred is that very quiet personality.” Despite both being Americans, their relationship remains strictly professional. Lyles even added, “He’s not calling me up like, ‘Hey, you wanna go out for the weekend?’” The documentary series Sprint on Netflix provides viewers with insights into how these sprinters adopt different methods in their athletic discipline.

Kerley showed his frustration toward Lyles’ attention-seeking approach when he spoke about her behavior: “I don’t do nothin’ for attention… I’m here to run fast, kill you, bash your head, and go about my business.” Lyles shares personality differences with Kerley yet both athletes stand as powerful figures in sprint running.

Lyles had a remarkable year in 2023 when he secured three World Championship gold medals together with his Paris Olympic 100m championship victory. The 2022 World Championships saw Kerley secure the 100-meter gold medal while claiming bronze during the 2024 Olympic Games. Both sprinters seem set to continue their fierce competition beyond the upcoming 2025 season.