Noah Lyles’ Rivalry and Beef With His Arch-Rivals Leaves Justin Gatlin in Splits

Nothing like Noah Lyles, Christian Coleman, and Fred Kerley’s discussions circulating the internet. On one hand, we have the 100m and 200m reigning World Champion Lyles, on the other we have the 60m Indoor record holder Coleman. The last one in the triangle, Kerley, the 400m specialist, has been on a spree to exchange heated words with his arch-rival Lyles. While half of the world awaits a ‘rematch’ of Lyles and Coleman, another half has eyes glued on the Fred-Noah beef.

At the Glasgow World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 26-year-old late entry to the roster may have cost him the gold. But the 28-year-old was only concerned about USATF dropping him. Amid this unpleasant back and forth, Olympian Justin Gatlin sat with track coach Rodney Green to have a detailed conversation.

Noah Lyles’ being the center man of the disagreement

Going by the conventional definitions, both can be long-standing. But beefs are personal enmities and rivalries are professional and competitive. In an episode of Tidal League, the track pundits shared frame. In the X post captioned, “Noah Lyles vs. Christian Coleman… Is this a rivalry or is there beef?”. When Green stated, “I’d say Coleman and Noah have a rivalry, whereas Fred and Noah have a beef”, Gatlin opposed. 

He traced back to 2019 when Lyles clocked a 9.8 to best his rival cum relay buddy Coleman. In a press meet later, he was asked whether he “was looking over at the clock”. In response, the 200m record holder queried, but people assumed that he was watching Coleman’s steps. The topic made rounds now and then, but it simmered down gradually. Since Gatlin was a witness, he asserted that “it was definitely a beef at one time”. But Green has a favorite athlete, which he brought to light.

Coleman stole Green’s heart

In another segment of the Tidal League’s segment, the famous duo sat for a conversation regarding Coleman’s comeback at the World Indoors. Winning the 60m dash, he stole track icons’ hearts. “Coleman wasn’t going to let that happen twice. I think this is the first time they did three rounds in one day, but I knew Coleman would have been prepared like he would have been more prepared”, said Robert Green.

There too, Gatlin was not on the same boat as him as he believed that Noah Lyles’ had a stronger ground as well.  “…he’s been PRing almost every time he’s run a 60-meter”, said Olympian Gatlin. Fred Kerley’s disheartenment faded as he secured the 100m victory. But can he stand in the same line as Lyles and Coleman?

READ MORE: “I See You Usain (Bolt)”: Fans Go Crazy After Fred Kerley Clocks 10.03s at the Hurricane Invitational