Noah Lyles and the Diamond League seem like a match made in heaven. Or so? Lyles is set to make history in the league with just two titles away from equaling Renaud Lavillenie and Christian Taylor’s shared record of seven career Diamond Trophies. However, as the 2024 Diamond League unfolds, Lyles has been notably absent from the scene. Meanwhile, his competitor on Team USA at the Bahamas Relays, Kenny Bednarek, breaking his personal best, surpassed Lyles’ record!

Clocking in at 19.67 seconds, USA’s Olympic Silver Medalist stunned the athletics world by clinching victory in the men’s 200-meter final at the Doha Diamond League. Bednarek secured the win and shattered records, establishing himself as the athlete to watch in the 2024 season, surpassing Noah Lyles. This not only secured him the top spot on the podium but also saw him break the meeting record of 19.83 seconds set by Noah Lyles back in 2018. However, Bednarek’s feat didn’t stop there.

With his sensational time, he also seized the coveted world lead for 2024 in the 200m event, surpassing his compatriot Courtney Lindsey’s previous best of 19.71 seconds. In a race where every fraction of a second counts, Bednarek’s performance was a testament to his incredible talent and determination.

Lindsey Courtney, the previous world leader, put up a commendable performance, finishing in second place with a time of 20.01 seconds. Kyree King, also representing the USA, secured the third spot with a time of 20.21 seconds. Kenny Bednarek’s stunning victory also comes just days after he turned heads in the Bahamas alongside Noah Lyles, further marking his status as one to watch out for in the Olympic year.

How Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles elevated Team USA at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024

At the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024, Team USA, including Courtney Lindsey, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King, and Noah Lyles, stole the show in the men’s 4x100m heats. The strong team beat Italy, the Olympic champions, by more than half a second, with Lyles sprinting to victory in a world-leading 37.49 seconds. However, Kenny Bednarek managed to stand out yet again. Kung Fu Kenny of the track world stunned with a split time of 8.95 seconds, while Noah Lyles clocked a lightning-fast 8.88 seconds.

As we reflect on Kenny Bednarek’s new meet record and his blazing speeds, he is making sure to mark his name as one to watch out for in 2024. However, it’s also important to note that Noah Lyles will be competing in the highly anticipated 100-meter event at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in London on July 20th, just days before his quest for Olympic gold in Paris.

The London Athletics Meet is particularly significant as it serves as the final major competition before the Olympic Games, offering athletes a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their preparations. Lyles’s return to the London Stadium holds special significance; last year, he stunned the world with one of the quickest 200 meters in history, clocking an impressive 19.47.

Apart from that, what’s worth watching would be to see Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Erriyon Knighton, Courtney Lindsey, Fred Kerley, Christian Coleman, and Kyree King all battling for three spots on the U.S. Olympic 200m squad next month! The question now remains: Can Lyles reclaim his title? Only time will tell, but share your thoughts below!