Threat to Noah Lyles’ Olympic Glory Advised To Go After 100m and 200m at Paris Despite Making 300m World Record

Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo has often been touted as a threat to Noah Lyles lately. In an achievement that might further the conversation, Tebogo recently bagged the 300m world record (30.69). “Everything is going according to plan,” Tebogo had stated after the win, indicating that he was looking forward to the upcoming Diamond League as a preparation for Paris. Despite his plans working, another Olympic icon has a thing or two to say to the 20-year-old.

With 4 Olympic golds and 10 world championships under his belt, Michael Johnson is among the best to take a call on the track and field matters. With that experience, Johnson recently put forward his advice for Tebogo regarding his choice of event. That might make Noah Lyles’ job somewhat difficult!

Michael Johnson picks his choice of events for Letsile Tebogo

Recently, World Athletics showcased Tebogo’s personal best time in 400m (44.29) through a post while writing, “Sky is the limit.” Resharing that, Johnson enquired, “100/200 or 200/400 double?“, trying to fathom what the 2023 World Championships silver medalist (100m) might be planning for the Olympics. Johnson then went on to write a word of caution for Tebogo.

“…may be foolish to switch in an Olympic year.“, underscored Michael in his post, while also suggesting that the switch to the longer course should happen after the Paris Olympics. So the final verdict from Johnson comes as, “At only 20, plenty of time to move to 400. 100/200 for Paris.” This understandably makes Tebogo enter into the same territory as Noah Lyles. Interestingly, Noah seems to be unfazed as he expressed lately.

Noah Lyles’ rivalry with Tebogo is building up

A few days back, in a podcast, Noah was asked about Tebogo’s 300m accolade. Noah’s reply came as, “Toboba 300 world record. Yeah, that mean anything to you?…That’s not the thing that I believe is going to be his, his greatest improvement.” Noah’s indifference will surely get a boost since only a while back, Lyles was given major props by the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt himself. However, Tebogo isn’t a candidate that can be brushed aside without a second look.

Read more: Noah Lyles Shows No Signs of Worry Despite Letsile Tebogo’s Chance of Ruining His Paris Olympics Dream

His personal best for the 100m (9.88) isn’t too far behind Lyles’ own (9.83), while in the 200m event, the Botswana-bron runner is just 0.19 seconds behind Noah’s best time in the same event (19.31). Notably, in London Diamond League 2023, in a rare happening, Tebogo closed the gap between himself and Lyles in the final meters. Now, with the Olympics only five months away, it waits to be seen who comes out on top after the super showdown.

Read more: Despite Ranked 3rd, Noah Lyles Gets Fueled by American Actor To Beat Usain Bolt’s 15 Year Strong Record