The 2024 Olympics’ shadow grows larger every day, and every step leading up to the French capital is becoming more crucial than the last. With that in mind, athletes from around the world are looking forward to every event leading up to the Paris Games as the perfect way to test the waters. The reigning world champion Noah Lyles of the USA will also be following these competitions to keep an eye on his main opponents, but his rivals might be thinning out, and not because of their own incompetence either!

The upcoming quadrennial event is being projected as the event where Lyles’ quest for his maiden Olympic gold will finally end. However, the competition standing on his to the top is formidable, to say the least. However, fault on the organizer’s part at the ongoing 23rd Africa Senior Championships is making it difficult for Noah’s threats to show their mettle.

A post on X by sports reporter Lynne Wachira yesterday shed light on the dismal conditions that continue to cast a daunting shadow on the athletes. “Africa Athletics leaders continue to fail athletes, over & over,” reads the accusing caption of the post, as it reveals that Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo has decided to pull out of the tournament because of the disorganization. “We’ll see about the final because there’s a lot of disorganization,” Tebogo can be heard saying in the accompanying video clip.

Not stopping there, the 300m world leader also said, “I didn’t even run, because I’m looking at the Olympics, I’m not looking at the Africa Games,” as he made clear that his current focus is hovering elsewhere than Cameroon.

The dire conditions of the tournament were also highlighted by Houston Cougars’ star Shaun Maswanganyi, who represents South Africa in international competitions. “I wish I were exaggerating when I say my health is at risk, as there is hardly any accommodation for my allergies. I can only imagine what other athletes are experiencing,” fumed Maswanganyi in his recent social media post.

Tebogo is currently ranked 8th and 3rd in the men’s 100m and 200m global rankings, both of which are touted as Noah Lyles’ strong suits. Considering Tebogo’s latest decision, it remains to be seen if the American can sneak in a chuckle as his main competitors see themselves out. But he isn’t one to not show appreciation to those who deserve it.

Big names face Noah Lyles on his way to glory

Despite being one of Lyles’ main threats to Olympic triumph, Noah nodded his hat to Letsile in March where he hailed the latter’s 300m world record. With Olympic veterans like Justin Gatlin hailing Letsile as “the pioneer for young sprinters in Africa,” Lyles’ appreciation made it clear that the American is keeping a sharp eye out for his biggest opponents despite being thousands of miles away from them. Earlier this year, Tebogo was also part of the team that won gold at the World Relays in Nassau, showcasing his prowess in 400m events as well.

Along with the Botswanan, Lyles will be facing more competition from his national teammates like Kenny Bednarek and Christian Coleman as anyone who flies to Paris will be going for it all. As the world’s top-ranked sprinter begins his Olympic journey in Eugene tomorrow at the US Team Trials, it remains to be seen if Noah can send out a definitive message to his peers or his opponents taking the easy way out makes his speed take a slump on the tracks.