Noah Lyles has the Midas touch with drama—everything he says seems to spark controversy! First, it was with the Jamaicans, and now it’s his own USA teammates. The latest tea? The ambition to make a ‘Sprint Quadruple’ at the Paris Olympics. Lyles caused a storm when he made comments about snagging another 4×400-meter relay spot, upsetting Quincy Hall, the 2024 world lead in the men’s 400-meter. And like the bold track personalities, Quincy hit back twice!

Taking to X on July 19, Quincy openly challenged Noah Lyles for the 400-meter spot and posted, “Noah Lyles I don’t bother nobody but my blocks ready anytime you feel like you can beat me in the 400 you was talking to much on my name on yo little podcast @TrackWorldNews1 I don’t do the little slick comments and remarks I line up 💯🐶” Quincy Hall didn’t stop at just one clap back. In another post on X the same day, Quincy Hall went off in a video and brushed off anyone who thought he was overreacting or that Noah Lyles didn’t diss him.

Hall made it clear he was ready to race and more focused on prepping for the Olympics, no matter if the showdown with Lyles happened. Quincy fired back at fans, defending Lyles, saying, “I didn’t say the man diss me he said that I’m too good to be first leg. Bro I was first leg last year bro what y’all saying? I popped it off last year.” He even threw down a direct challenge to Lyles: “If you think I don’t deserve a spot or you think you want my spot then let’s do something about it bro.” So how did this drama kick off?

Noah Lyles has been pretty upfront about his dream to run in the 4x400m relay for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics, even though he’s not on the team right now. On the Track World News Podcast, Lyles stirred things up by saying he’d slot himself in as the second leg of the relay team, alongside Chris Bailey, Michael Norman, and Rai Benjamin.

But here’s the kicker: Lyles said he wouldn’t even pick Hall, who’s got the world’s fastest 400-meter time this year, for the relay. He explained, “The only reason I wouldn’t use the current UU champion is because I don’t think he would be a starter. I feel like using him on the first leg would just be almost like a waste to his talent.” Noah Lyles even shared that he doesn’t see Hall getting his full capability out of the first leg. But if we take Noah Lyles’s perspective into account, let’s compare the 400m stats of Chris Bailey, Michael Norman, Rai Benjamin, and Lyles himself to Quincy Hall.

Coming in 7th, 6th, and 5th place in his first three 400m races of 2024, Quincy Hall dropped jaws when he clocked a strong 44.68 seconds at the BAUHAUS-Galan in Stockholm on June 2. His stellar form peaked during the U.S. Olympic Trials, where he ran 44.60 seconds in the heats on June 21, 44.42 seconds in the semi-finals on June 23, and finally a remarkable 44.17 seconds in the finals on June 24. He capped off the year with a world-leading time of 43.80 seconds at the Herculis Meeting International in Monaco on July 12.

Looking at all this stir-up, it’s evident that Quincy Hall’s standout performances in the 400m surpass those of the 2023 World Champion, especially when you factor in Noah Lyles’s comments and 400m track record. Lyles, who focuses on the 100m and 200m, is set to represent Team USA in those sprints and the 4x100m relay. He has also been aiming for a spot in the 4x400m relay, similar to his participation at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year. However, this hasn’t made him popular with the 400-meter crowd.

Is Noah Lyles’ quest for a ‘4-Peat’ at the Paris Olympics realistic with all this stiff competition?

Former 100m champ Fred Kerley wasn’t too thrilled, feeling that Noah Lyles was getting special treatment while other 400m runners, who’ve been pushing for their chance, were left out at the 2024 World Indoor Championships. Kerley even threw shade at USATF, saying, “Man I tell you last 3 year we been asking to be in that ish f*ck that Olympic storyline sh*t yall puppets no in between either.” Lyles didn’t hold back in response, retorting, “I mean, he could be here, but he ain’t. So be mad at that. Come on out here.” He emphasized that his spot wasn’t just handed to him—it was earned through a lot of hard work and persistence.

Later, before the World Athletics Relays in May, it was decided Lyles would only run the 4x100m relay. He shared, “Let’s just say a lot of people in the U.S. were very, very, very upset that I ran the 4×400. And to that, I say: Run faster. Push me out.” With so many big names lining up for the Paris Olympics, do you think Lyles can hold his own against them? And what’s your take on Quincy Hall’s bold challenge to Noah Lyles—will it set things straight? Drop your thoughts in the comments!