“Why Not for Me”: Noah Lyles’ Goal of Surpassing Usain Bolt in Danger After Christian Coleman Reveals Plans for Paris Olympics 2024

The 49th Prefontaine Classic was just the titillating affair it was expected to be, especially with the 2024 Olympics on the stakes. The country’s top track and field athletes put everything on the line to bolster their claims for a spot on the national team, and Christian Coleman just added another feather to his highly decorated cap. Winning the men’s 100m race in 9.95 seconds, Coleman is now breathing down upon national teammate Noah Lyles’ personal best time (9.83) in the event and is now looking like another hurdle on the latter’s hopes of usurping Usain Bolt’s coveted spot.

Coleman has been on a roll in recent weeks and his latest victory might prompt Noah to get back to the drawing board if he wishes to achieve the plan of bagging four gold medals in Paris.

After winning the race in Eugene, the two-time World Championships gold medalist shed light on his plans at the upcoming Games. The Oregon city will also play host for the upcoming Olympic Team Trials and Noah Lyles is expected to bear a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders, but Coleman’s latest victory seems to have given him some extra confidence. In a YouTube video uploaded by Citius Mag, Coleman hinted at going the extra mile next month at the team trials.

Admitting that the 100m event is still his primary focus, Coleman said that he might consider going for the 200m as well in June. “…we have like two or three days like in between before the 200 starts and so it’s like it’s like why not for me,” said the two-time Diamond League gold winner. “I’ll definitely throw my head in the ring,” alerted Coleman, and Noah Lyles might get his work cut for him at the Olympic trials when they finally meet on the track next.

Earlier this year, Noah revealed that gold medals in every event at the Olympics (100m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x400m) are the ambition that’s keeping him motivated. However, recent developments, including Coleman’s victory at the Prefontaine Classic, might be a big deterrent to that plan. And Coleman is not the only one standing in the way of Noah’s Lofty dreams.

Noah Lyles won’t get an easy pass in Paris

In the 200m event too, things are getting intense. At the Doha Diamond League earlier this month, Kenny Bednarek, Noah’s teammate and part of the team that won gold at the Bahamas Relays, clinched the world lead after winning the 200m race in 19.67 seconds. Continuing the momentum, Bednarek won the event at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic last night as well. However, it seems like his peer’s form isn’t worrying Lyles too much and the 26-year-old even joked that Kenny’s lead will only stay on top till they lock horns in Paris in August. The two might get a chance to settle the score even sooner at next month’s Racer’s Grand Prix.

On the other hand, Lyles’ prospects of appearing in the 4x400m relay still seem unsure. While the Bahamas Relays saw Lyles proving his worth as a team player in the men’s 4x100m race, he hasn’t appeared in a 4x400m relay event this year yet. However, it should be worth noting that Lyles has yet to compete in a 200m race this season as well, and considering how Bednarek is making waves, the six-time World Championships winner Noah might have to pull up his socks fast! Come August, who will you be rooting for? Tell us your Olympics pick in the comments.