Noah Lyles, a history-maker by breaking Michael Johnson’s record, now seeks redemption at the NYC Grand Prix. Recently dethroned by Kenny Bednarek in Doha’s Diamond League, Lyles expressed his determination by stating, “Of course I wanted to be faster. I at least wanted to break the American record again.” Olympic silver medalist Bednarek, with a world-leading 19.67, has proven to be a worthy adversary, aiming to extend his winning streak. 

With the announcement of the USATF event, the New York City Grand Prix, fans are speculating whether Lyles is out for revenge. The sprinter, who holds personal bests of 9.83 seconds in the 100m and 19.31 seconds in the 200m, faced a humiliating loss against the man he defeated at the 2022 World Athletic Championship. Noah Lyles, determined to reclaim the top spot in the rankings, is gearing up to deliver his best performance, drawing the attention of all of the denizens of New York. What does the NYC Grand Prix entail?

Everything you need to know about the USATF NYC Grand Prix

USATF recently announced details of the 2024 USATF NYC Grand Prix on their official website. The event, which Nike and Toyota officially sponsor, is an annual track and field event that is set to take place on Sunday, June 9th, this year. It will be held at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York City and will run from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM EDT. The event draws on thousands of viewers from around the world. And this year, eyes will be peeled at Noah Lyles as he tries to redeem himself. At the Doha Diamond League, Kenny Bednarek, who also made a world record of 19.67 seconds, dethroned Lyles.

After the match, Lyles sent out a warning signal jocularly and said on Twitter, “I will let you keep it till June 9th.” To which Bednarek replied, “Challenge Accepted.” The rivalry brewing between the two will definitely be a firecracker to look out for. In the 200m, Lyles won 10 of their cumulative faceoffs. In the 100m, Kenny won twice out of four. This makes predicting the outcome of the race ridiculously difficult. However, viewers can log in to find out live on NBC’s broadcast, with coverage from 2 PM. Additionally, it will be available online on the Peacock. The line-up for the event is magnificent and features sprinters from around the world. Bednarek, who beat Courtney Lindsey’s time of 19.71s as well during Doha, will provide fierce competition to “sprint king” Noah Lyles.

Their hatred has only deepened since Kenny Bednarek edged Noah Lyles out to secure an Olympic silver medal. The two raced to a photo finish in the Tom Jones Memorial event this year where Lyles secured a 10.01. Noah’s plan includes beating Bednarek in the Olympic Trials. Expect Fred Kerley, PJ Austin, and Kendal Williams from the USA at the NYC Grand Prix as well as the likes of Nigerian sprinter Udodi Onwuzurike and Jamaican sprinter Sandrey Davison. What else is in the offing?

Viewers are eager to watch Noah Lyles make a resurgence

The tickets for the USATF NYC Grand Prix are now live. Any spectator interested in watching what promises to be a scintillating display of talent can purchase tickets online or by calling 1-877-849-8722. The platinum tier tickets are $70 and $60 for adults and children under 12 years old, respectively. The Gold tier is $40 and $30 for adults and children. And the silver is $20 across all ages. Bigger groups of 10 are also eligible for a discount. Viewers will eagerly wait for Lyles to once again come out on top and prove that he is the “fastest man alive.” Track and field fans everywhere have their hopes pinned on him, and rightfully so. 

Backing this is Noah’s impressive track record of winning the Adidas Atlanta City Games as well, with utmost verve. Reportedly, for the Grand Prix, Lyles is working closely with his coaching staff. They aim to fine-tune his technique and enhance his overall performance. He has his eyes set on not only winning but also on breaking Usain Bolt’s 200m world record.. However, Lyles is undeterred as he once said – “The 200m is my home. It’s where I live. I eat, sleep and breathe the 200m. I dream about the 200m. I know that turn, I know that straightaway, I know every 10-metre increment, I know where people get stuck at, I know where people try to speed up at.” The 2024 NYC Grand Prix is sure to be a spectacle of an event to watch as viewers scramble to book their seats and get one glimpse of the face-off.