On August 8, Bercy Arena was preparing to host the most anticipated event of the evening: the 200m sprint. Noah Lyles had already asserted his status as a formidable foe in the 100m sprint on August 4. In a stunning photo finish, he edged out pre-race favorite Kishane Thompson and sped to the finish line in 9.79 seconds. He returned to the iconic purple tracks for the 200m as the race favorite. But it wasn’t going to be an easy feat.

The 27-year-old was up against a stacked line-up consisting of compatriots Kenny Bednarek, Erriyon Knighton, and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. Much to his dismay, the Botswanan crossed the finish line in 19.46 seconds, while the world champion had to settle for a third-place finish with 19.70 seconds on the clock. In an August 17 episode of Ready Set Go, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green give their take on the thrilling race. What did they say?

History repeats itself for Noah Lyles

Gatlin asked Green what he thought of the American’s chances in the intense 200m race. Without missing a beat the Bahamian stated, “I don’t think a healthy Noah would have been beat Tebogo.” After the race, while Tebogo celebrated his win, Noah Lyles collapsed on the side of the track. While many initially suspected this was an asthma attack, it was later revealed that the sprinter had contracted COVID-19. He was eventually escorted out of the Stade de France in a wheelchair.

Green continued, “I said before, man after watching tooo and Monaco and hearing his interview about how he was dedicating this is this his mom who was very upset about the 100 which gave him even more energy to say look I have to go somewhere where I haven’t been before to get it done and at 19.46.” During the Monaco Diamond League, the Botswanan effortlessly clinched gold in the 200m event with 19.87 seconds. Even though the 2020 Tokyo bronze medalist didn’t contest the event, Tebogo bested him amid a deafening cheer in the French capital.

Noah Lyles set a PB of 19.31 seconds back in 2022. However, he proved to be considerably slower on the purple tracks. Green promptly pointed this out: “Um based on what I’ve seen from Noah he would have had to go 19.40 to beat this kid or closer to his PB and I don’t think he was in that type of shape um to go there you know.” Noah Lyles was about 0.33 seconds off his PB in the French capital. Despite his boisterous entrance to the event, Gatlin pointed out how the sprinter wasn’t feeling his best. 

Letsile Tebogo’s heart-touching tribute to his late mother

The Botswanan’s mother, Seratiwa, always made sure to accompany her son to every meet he competed in. It wouldn’t be surprising to catch a glimpse of her in the stands, cheering him on. However, Stade de France wasn’t a similar experience for the 21-year-old. After missing out on a podium finish in the 100m event, he was looking forward to clinching his first Olympic gold in the 200m event. Tebogo lost his mother earlier this year after she lost her brief battle with illness. However, he wasn’t with her when she passed.

Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 200m Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 08, 2024. Letsile Tebogo of Botswana reacts after winning gold. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierOn August 8, the sprinter was quick off the blocks, gaining an easy lead. Even though the sprinter had won the nation’s first Olympic gold, his tribute to Seratiwa is what caught everyone’s eye. While celebrating his win, he walked up to the cameras and held up his boot. The sticker had “E.S.T 23-12-1980,” his mother’s birth date, written on it. Do you agree with what Gatlin and Green said about Noah Lyles? Let us know in the comments!