“Watch Out”: 6th Fastest Man Issues Warning to Noah Lyles & Other US Track & Field Stars for Olympic Trials

Jun 6, 2024 | 10:47 AM EDT

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Could anyone ever break Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second record? Well, what’s Bolt’s take on it? “I don’t see anybody really breaking the record. So I think I still have a few more years to go (laughs),” said Bolt. But how much more time for more laughs? Bolt set this record in the 100m back in 2009, which stands untouched until now but not unchallenged. What really strikes a chord is the daily aspiration of athletes to break it. This fuels increasing rivalries between track stars, particularly Noah Lyles, Christian Coleman, and other legends. And now, once again, another chapter in this epic rivalry has been opened.

The former world 100m champion, Fred Kerley made a bold declaration last month, “World record next time I touch the 100m.” But can he back it up? As his recent performances haven’t shown his top speed. His personal best of 9.76 seconds, achieved in the 100m semifinals at the 2022 USATF Championships, ranks as the sixth fastest in history and the fastest over the past three years. But his season’s best of 10.03 seconds currently sits at the 19th spot globally. Yet, today, in a podcast with USA Track and Field on YouTube, hosted by Eric Cannard, Kerley was welcomed as a guest.

When the host initiated the conversation, saying, “So you put it out there, world record… I see you’ve been, uh, some people been chirping from the audience a little bit and I see you’ve been politely putting them in their place. You stand behind it.” This referenced Kerley’s bold statement last month, which drew criticism with comments like, “Definitely not by you but maybe Noah Lyles.” In today’s podcast, Kerley delivered an on-fleek response, as he puts it, “I stand behind everything I say. I don’t think any of us track athletes are here to be second best to anybody. It’s always about greatness.”

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Fred further expressed that he couldn’t understand why people were troubled by his perspective, suggesting that such reactions stem from a lack of self-belief. He emphasized that his confidence in himself drives him to aim for greatness, aspiring to be, “one of the greatest, or the greatest of all time.” The host then remarked, “It seems like you’re confident going into trials, which probably leads to you being able to make that statement if I’m not mistaken.”

Fred’s response was both awesome and challenging, “I know where my training has been in the last two days, even today. So, hey, you gotta watch out because it’s coming, and I’m not afraid to say it. When I say I’m back in my bag, I’m back in my bag.” He emphasized the significance of his current training regimen under a new coach, highlighting, “Right now, we’re locked in on training. We’re about a month out, six weeks, five weeks.”

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He further added, “Practice has been excellent with these boys; it’s definitely at another level. So I can’t complain about half of the stuff I do.”It seems clear that he is confident and undoubtedly a hopeful prospect for America in Paris 2024. However, the question remains: who are his challengers for breaking the record?

Christian Coleman and Noah Lyles on the brink of breaking record

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Last month, Christian Coleman expressed confidence, stating, “9.58 is obviously an extraordinary time, but honestly, I feel like there are a lot of guys competing today who are not that far off, if the track gods see fit for it to happen. But it has to be perfect conditions, on the right day, the right competition, and the right venue.” While Coleman hinted that he could break the record himself, in 2019, he clocked 9.76 seconds as he secured the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships. Also, the reigning 100m and 200m world champion stands out as the youngest among his peers to challenge Usain Bolt’s world record

Noah Lyles, the 26-year-old’s heightened focus on the 100m, has positioned him as a formidable contender in the shorter sprint as well. With his fastest 100m time of 9.83 seconds achieved during his world title victory last year, Lyles remains confident in his ability to break Bolt’s record. “Specifically for this year, I want to consolidate myself as the fastest man in the world in the 100 and 200 meters.” Also, other challengers include Marcell Jacobs, Tarvon Bromell, and more. With the Paris Olympics looming just around the corner, fans are brimming with anticipation, placing their hopes on these athletes who carry the aspirations of the USA.