Noah Lyles took full advantage of the three-year gap between the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. In 2021, he couldn’t even make it to the men’s 100m final in Tokyo but managed to snag a bronze in the 200m. Solid effort, but it didn’t exactly hit his own sky-high standards. Lyles knew he could push further—and boy, did he deliver. Fast forward three years, and he’s on top of the sprinting world. But was it just raw talent and fierce determination that got him there?

Nope, not entirely. Behind every great athlete, there’s often a mastermind working quietly in the background. For Lyles, that someone was Dr. Ralph Mann, the biomechanics guru who helped him fine-tune his starts and ultimately topple the reigning Olympic champ. And now, Lyles is gearing up to face that very champ, Lamont Marcell Jacobs, on February 2 in Boston. Things are getting complicated, aren’t they?

Here’s the twist: this isn’t just any race. The showdown is part of the Ralph Mann Memorial Men’s 60m, an event dedicated to the man who helped Lyles master his craft. Mann, a former Olympic hurdler and biomechanics legend, passed away on January 2. To honor his memory, New Balance renamed their marquee event at the Indoor Grand Prix. For Lyles, this race is personal—a chance to honor his mentor and prove, once again, that he’s the king of the sprints. Fans are already picking sides, and the consensus?

Team Lyles all the way. One fan boldly posted on X, “Marcel is WASHED; easy dub for Noah” Confidence levels are high, and why not? Last year, Lyles kicked off his season at this very event, clocking a jaw-dropping 6.44 seconds to win the 60m. Now, with Jacobs in the mix, there’s even more at stake—and even more motivation for Noah to deliver.

On January 4, the 6-time world champion, Noah Lyles, poured his heart out on Instagram, bidding farewell to his late coach, Dr. Ralph Mann. He affectionately called him the “Crazy Scientist” for his sharp analytical mind and reminded fans that Mann wasn’t just an Olympian or a record holder—he was the man who helped Noah become a “great 60m runner and 100m Olympic Champion.” Now, with Mann’s legacy on the line, the 27-year-old has the challenge of proving himself as that “great 60m runner” all over again.

Last year, Noah kicked off his season with a bang, dominating the 60m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in 6.44 seconds. Naturally, he’s looking to replicate that success this year, but there’s a twist—this time, he’ll face Marcell Jacobs in Boston. For Jacobs, a two-time Olympic champion, it’s also the season opener, but fans aren’t exactly sold on his chances. The general vibe? Lyles is too locked in for Jacobs to pose a real threat.

Track and field enthusiasts are all in on Noah Lyles ahead of the special race

“Easy win for Noah,” someone commented on X beneath Travis Miller’s post about the upcoming race. But hold up—how could it be that easy for Noah Lyles? Sure, the numbers are on his side. While Lyles and Marcell Jacobs haven’t faced off in the indoor 60m, Noah has proved he can handle top-tier competition.

He’s taken down Christian Coleman, the reigning world indoor champion, at the National Indoor Championships. Plus, he snagged the silver at the World Indoor Championships. As for Jacobs? Well, the former Olympic champ has yet to get the better of Lyles in the men’s 100m. That’s enough to give fans a solid reason to believe Noah’s got the upper hand.

But not everyone’s convinced. One fan went as far as to write, “Marcell is not a threat.” And it’s hard to argue—Jacobs seems a far cry from the sprinter who dazzled in Tokyo. Right now, he’s not exactly in peak form, and that doesn’t bode well for him heading into the February 4 showdown.

In fact, one person even joked, “Marcell will scratch,” referencing his history of pulling out of races due to knee injuries. Remember, the pain hit him after the men’s 100m final in Paris. So, with his fitness still a mystery, there’s always a chance Jacobs could bail on the race entirely. However, there are still a few hopefuls rooting for the Italian champion.

On X, a fan wrote, “Hopefully Marcell can have a healthy season and round back into form, would be a great race to see if that happens.” Fans are clearly excited about the potential showdown between Lyles and Jacobs—if Marcell can get back to his best, it could be a thrilling race.

But here’s the thing: Lyles is coming into this one on fire. With his current form and momentum, it’s hard to see anyone stopping him, even if Jacobs surprises us all. But hey, anything can happen on race day! What do you think—will Jacobs pull off the upset, or is Lyles set for another win? Let us know!