Noah Lyles Spills the Truth About USATF’s Last-Minute Decision Behind Snubbing Fred Kerley

In the Glasgow World Indoor Championship this month, Noah Lyles appeared to fulfill his promise to the track and field world. After the US Indoor 60m victory in February, the reigning world champion unfurled his aim to go for “all the medals” in the coming contests. On that estimate, Glasgow suited his endeavor aptly as Noah Lyles had never tasted the World Athletics Indoor Championship victory. He almost toppled Christian Coleman in the 60m in Glasgow, taking the second spot. Then eventually, the 4x400m relay came into the schedule. 

But in that race, the discussion continued regarding Noah’s last-minute inclusion in the final lineup, despite missing the prelims. The silver-earning run took a back seat. Since then, much has been spilled about the hurried decision. But now, Noah Lyles has shed some light on the mindset that eventually compelled the stakeholders to make the final call. 

Noah Lyles defines how he deserved the call 

On March 11, Callie Lawson-Freeman from Yahoo Sports invited Noah Lyles to spill more beans on his athletic schedule. In the meantime, the American sprinter delivered his side when questioned about the Glasgow relay fiasco. Echoing the support lines he had received before, Noah Lyles argued, “Everybody has to prove their worth. And I was no different. They[USATF] took a chance on me. I felt that I have many accolades that show that I can run fast enough.” But, in a riveting moment, the 6x world champion narrated the first-hand account of the day when it all happened. 

“…this wasn’t an in the moment situation. Did I know I was going to run? Not until a few hours before the finals. But I was committed to the idea that, no matter what, I’m going to show you I’m available,” he disclosed. Eventually, after losing the relay berth, Noah’s national compatriot Fred Kerley inflicted most attacks on him and the USATF regarding the inclusion decision. 

Previously, Noah Lyles had thrown some jibes towards Kerley after the latter’s staunch attack. But yesterday, Noah slipped some unbeatable truth. “If you want to write the script, then you have to be marketable, and you have to be winning,” the three-peater chimed in on the situation. Incidentally, Kerley wasn’t present in Glasgow. Rather, in recent times, he has become irregular in the national lineup. Previously,  two Olympians had raised this issue to support Noah. 

The veterans noticed the better part 

This year, Fred Kerley appeared in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 60m event. However, compared to Noah’s top-podium performance there, Kerley came meekly in the 4th rank. Taking Noah’s side from there, Olympic champion Bianca Knight once wrote, “Outside of his talent, he actually shows up. Indoor, outdoor … he doesn’t even take the bye. And that’s what separates him.”

Moreover, on the game day in Glasgow, Fred Kerley’s absence left the USATF to go with a weak lineup in the relay prelim. The Olympic medalist’s inclusion in the final strengthened the balance. Michael Johnson felt that. 

Read more: Ex-USA Track Star Exposes USATF’s Inconsistencies in Noah Lyles’ Relay Pick in Glasgow

“US putting Noah on the 4×400 relay makes sense. US indoor 400 team is weak. No finalist in the open 400. Noah has expressed a desire to run both relays in Paris. This is an opportunity for him to prove if he deserves it,” the 4x Olympic champion stated. Now, once again, the performance scenario has claimed to play the bigger role in the selection. 

Also read: “Sad to Lose…”: Noah Lyles Pays Emotional Tribute to ‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Akira Toriyama