Excitement, high stakes, and an upset win—the 200m Olympic finals were nothing short of a rollercoaster. On August 8, crowds at Stade de France expected Noah Lyles to complete his redemption arc by clinching a gold medal. Deemed as the race favorite, he expected that too. However, it wasn’t him but Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo who sped past the finish line, claiming the crown instead. To say the track and field world was shocked would be an understatement. 

But the 21-year-old’s African record of 19.46 seconds helped him snag his and the nation’s first Olympic gold. However, history repeated itself for the American, who had to settle for a bronze medal again with 19.70 seconds. The one thing that many noticed was his cool and calm demeanor throughout. This is something that he’s showcased in every competition he’s sprinted in. In a September 6 snippet of Ready Set Go, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green get into their composure before the finals. 

Right before the 200m finals, Noah Lyles stepped into the stadium in high spirits. He jumped around the track, greeting the crowds, being his usual boisterous self. Gatlin points out, “But the stark contrast between Noah [Lyles] when he steps out on the line with the explosive energy all over, right? And when you hear Tebogo’s name called, and Tebogo be like this.” The retired American sprinter then mimics the Botswanan’s nonchalance—calmly looking around, glancing at his nails, the works. 

As Green laughs at his imitation, Gatlin adds, “He just be standing like he’s waiting for the bus or something.” However, the 21-year-old has proven how this demeanor doesn’t set the pace for his performance on the track. “But he get out there and roll your a–,” the 42-year-old added. Rodney Green agreed and pointed out the contrast between Lyles and Tebogo’s pre-race persona: “Tebogo be standing out there looking at him like, ‘Are you done?'” The former American sprinter recalls what the environment was like during his time. 

When the Bahamian asked if trash talk was a part of the culture when he raced, Gatlin affirms by relaying an incident that took place between himself and John Capel Jr. During the 2012 Olympic Trials, the 42-year-old blazed past the finish line in 9.80 seconds in the 100m finals. At the 2013 Monaco Diamond League, Capel Jr. walked up and told him that he shouldn’t pull off what he did at the nationals. Gatlin’s response nearly ended in a showdown. However, he noted this wasn’t the case with the current sprint circuit.

Letsile Tebogo and Noah Lyles have been dealt the same hand

Noah Lyles sprinted to victory in the 100m finals at Stade de France. However, his bold statement grabbed several eyeballs. “America! I told you. I got this!” He went into the 200m finals with the same confidence: “When I come off the turn, they will be depressed.” However, he couldn’t match up to the Botswanan’s pace and eventually ended his stint abruptly due to contracting COVID-19. Shortly after, the 21-year-old made a snide comment regarding this behavior. 

Letsile Tebogo stated, “I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or loud person like Noah. So I believe Noah’s the face of athletics.” However, fans soon noticed similarities after his actions at the Rome Diamond League. Before approaching the finish line, fans witnessed him celebrating ahead of Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley. But in comparison, Letsile Tebogo’s ethics during his stint at the Paris Olympics seem to have won everyone’s heart. Do you agree with the track legends?