Noah Lyles has never been one to hold back. And one of his recent statements about the 200 meters proved the same yet again. Fresh off his 100-meter victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he clocked a blistering 9.79 seconds to claim gold, Lyles stunned many when he openly downplayed the 200-meter event. The very race that had been his main game for quite some time. 

In State de France, Lyles grabbed the gold in the 100-meter dash, defeating Kishane Thompson in a photo finish. However, he failed to secure a victory in the 200 meters after he stepped on the track inflicted with COVID-19. And his loss to Botswana’s sprinting phenom, Letsile Tebogo, sparked their rivalry like never before. On one hand, Tebogo made bold remarks referring to Lyles as “loud” and “arrogant.” And on the other hand, a remark by Lyles created quite a buzz that even track legends shared their takes on his opinion.

Noah Lyles’ blunt words ignite reactions from track veterans

In an interview with LetsRun.com, Lyles dismissed his former signature event, saying, “Nobody cares about the 200.” For someone who dominated the 200m scene, winning multiple world titles and Olympic bronzes, the remark felt jarring. Moreover, in the first season of the Netflix docuseries ‘SPRINT,’ Lyles’ mother, Kiesha Caine, claimed that the 200-meter dash is Lyles’ ‘wife’ while the 100-meter is secondary to that. While such a claim from Lyles already made track enthusiasts and netizens lose their minds, track veteran Rodney Green and legendary sprinter Justin Gatlin shared their thoughts on the same in a recent podcast.

In the latest episode of Tidal League, Rodney Green and Justin Gatlin weighed in on the matter, diving deeper into the context of Lyles’ bold claim. Green, speaking candidly, acknowledged the polarizing nature of Lyles’ comment, “My only problem with him saying that nobody cares about the 200 is that the man who won Athlete of the Year is the 200-meter Olympic champion.” That man, of course, is Tebogo, whose 200-meter gold in Paris secured him not just glory but the coveted title of Best Male Athlete, leaving Lyles’ words hanging under greater scrutiny.

Gatlin, on the other hand, offered a broader perspective on Lyles’ shift in focus. He pointed to Lyles’ frustration over recognition, referencing his own record-breaking feats in the 200-meter. “He said he broke Michael Johnson’s American record, and he still didn’t get Athlete of the Year because Mondo [Duplantis] did.” For Lyles, the discrepancy in attention between the 100-meter and 200-meter was clear, and his Olympic triumph in the 100-meter cemented what he had long believed. That is, the shorter sprint remains the crown jewel of track and field. 

Moreover, Green and Gatlin also reflected on the growing rivalry between Lyles and Tebogo. And while comparing and complimenting the indomitable prowess of both the sprinters, Gatlin also noted Lyles’ respect for his competitors, especially Tebogo. Referring to Noah Lyles’ recent acknowledgment, Gatlin added, “He ran down the list of all of Tobi’s latest achievements…you’re watching your opponents, you’re watching them grow. And he said, ‘They’re growing. I know that they’re growing.’” These words from Lyles also reveal how he acknowledges the healthy competition that has been flourishing between the two track marvels. However, as it appears from Lyles’ recent stance, he doesn’t seem quite ready yet to relinquish his title easily.

Lyles waiting to sprint back to the 200m, proving his “unfinished business” runs deep

Despite his pointed dismissal of the 200-meter, in the same interview with LetsRun.com, he stated that he has “unfinished business” as he aims to make a comeback and grab the gold in the 200-meter that he missed out on. However, he also stated that he won’t be satisfied with a win in the World Championships. Rather, he aims to win the gold in the upcoming Olympics. “I’m not going to get it through World Championships; it’s an Olympic title 200m. That’s where I’m going to gain that satisfaction…not to say that I don’t want to win, I am not giving up anything you’re going to have to beat me,” said Lyles.

Green reflected on the same and said, “He’s running the 200 next year, and they’re going to have to work for it because he’s not giving that up. So that means he’s doubling.” Moreover, in the recent venture of Noah Lyles, Grant Holloway, and Rai Benjamin, the Beyond the Records Podcast, Lyles stated that 200-meter is the “bread and butter” for him. For all the controversy surrounding his words, Lyles’ competitive fire remains intact, setting the stage for an intense showdown in both sprints.

Now, as the rivalry between Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo heats up, the track world is left with a fascinating narrative. Lyles may say the 200-meter doesn’t matter, but his actions and recent claims tell a different story. Whether he’s doubling down to silence critics or chasing new records, Lyles’ journey would continue to keep the spotlight firmly on him, for better or worse.