This year, Usain Bolt was asked a straightforward question: Who would you have liked to race against? His reply lit up the room—“I would definitely like to compete against Maurice Green, Ben Johnson. Let’s give Noah [Lyles] a spot too, just because I would love to race against him.” It wasn’t just a casual remark. Bolt, the unmatched sprinting icon who retired in 2017, stepped away before Noah Lyles had fully grown into his prime. But now, the script has flipped. Lyles rules the track with an authority that echoes Bolt’s own reign. And just as the Jamaican once pursued the greats, Lyles now finds himself in pursuit of Bolt’s legacy. How? 

Noah hasn’t shied away from saying it outright—his mission isn’t only to win, but to topple the title of the fastest man in history. And soon, he’ll get another chance to prove it. On August 28, 2025, Lyles will join the 200 meters line up in Zürich, thanks to an international wild card from the Wanda Diamond League. At 28, the American already boasts a staggering résumé: a personal best of 19.31 seconds, the third-fastest time ever, and a rich history on the Zurich track. He has claimed four of his five Diamond Trophies (2018, 2019, 2022) on the Swiss track, with his most recent Zurich victory coming in the 200m in 2022. One more triumph in this year’s final would etch his name in history yet again—making him the first man to capture five Diamond League titles in a single event, something even Bolt never managed. Still, for Lyles, the chase is always about measuring up to the great Jamaican icon. But beyond Bolt, where does his rivalry with the rest of the world stand?

“I think rivalries are great. I love rivalries, as long as they’re done correctly,” Noah Lyles remarked, clearly unimpressed with the way on-track rivalries are hyped up in track and field. After nearly a decade in the sport, the American star has witnessed countless battles, but at this stage of his career, he values only the ones that carry real weight. What does he mean by that? Ahead of the men’s 100m at the Lausanne Diamond League, Lyles clarified: “We’re not just making rivalries out of nothing.” So then, what exactly defines a true rivalry in his eyes? Well, Noah had a clear answer ready.

At that same press conference, Noah admitted, “I get really kind of annoyed when there’ll be situations where, of course, you’ll have one person who has a race with somebody who’s like…somebody has like 50 wins over somebody who has 3. I mean, come on, that’s not right. That’s just the next race that’s showing up.” Were those words arrogant, or simply a reminder of what truly defines a genuine rivalry? The debate is still open. But on August 20, he’ll line up against two challengers in Lausanne—a race that could serve as the perfect tune-up before the Tokyo World Championships.

Noah Lyles vs. Oblique Seville 

On July 19 at the London Diamond League, Noah Lyles stepped onto the track for his season-opening 100m—his first outing since claiming Olympic gold in Paris. A packed London Stadium anticipated another trademark statement from the six-time world champion. This time, he finished in 10.00 seconds, a mark below his usual level, but Lyles quickly dismissed any concerns. Speaking afterward, he emphasized the work behind his performance and gave a nod to his Jamaican rival, who in recent races has made a habit of getting the better of him.

After the race, Noah Lyles admitted, “I want the win, but I’m going to take I mean, I think that’s my fastest season opener in the 100.” Still, his best start couldn’t prevent another defeat to Jamaica’s Oblique Seville. The 24-year-old clocked 9.86 seconds, beating the Olympic champion for the third time since June 2024. Surprisingly, instead of firing back with his usual sharp words, Lyles praised his rival: “I’d say that, uh, you know, you of course going to see oblique out there and just being like, ‘Okay, don’t let it get to your head. Just go try chase him.’” He also added, “I didn’t get it this time. But the important thing was to not panic, to make sure that I hit all my positions.” For Lyles, London was more than a race—it was a lesson. The question is, has he carried it forward?

We’ll get to that soon, but since his runner-up finish to Seville in London, Lyles has begun showing glimpses of top form. At Silesia, he dipped under 10 seconds for the first time this season, clocking 9.90, though once again finishing behind Thompson. Meanwhile, Seville—famed for his lightning starts—will be eager to fend off Lyles’ trademark closing speed as both look to make a statement. Will the script mirror London, or unfold more like the Paris Olympic semifinal, when Seville crossed the line with a sharp stare down at Lyles? Fans won’t know until the race unfolds just hours from now. And when it does, another chapter of rivalry will be written across the wire.

Noah Lyles vs Akani Simbine 

Akani Simbine’s season had been shaping up impressively—until he crossed paths with Noah Lyles at the London Diamond League in July. There, he could only manage fifth place in the men’s 100m, clocking 10.11, and hasn’t reached the podium since. Still, few would have predicted such a strong start to his outdoor campaign: multiple Diamond League appearances and six victories in the 100m had made him one of the most consistent performers this year.

Thanks to that run, he currently sits atop the standings in the race to qualify for the Diamond League Final. Yet when it comes to head-to-head battles with Lyles, the numbers tell a different story—just one win in ten meetings, that lone triumph coming seven years ago. And while Lausanne will once again feature Simbine, two notable absentees stand out: who are often regarded as Lyles’ fiercest rivals.

Two rivals are missing from Noah Lyles’ list at Lausanne 

At the press conference ahead of the Lausanne Diamond League, Noah Lyles couldn’t resist revisiting his showing at the previous stop in Silesia. Reflecting on it, he said, “Coming to back out to Poland and getting a second place only behind Kishane. These are great competitors, and I’m showing that I’m just right back in the swing of things.” So, what exactly unfolded in Silesia?

It felt like a repeat of the Olympic final when Noah Lyles lined up against Kishane Thompson for the first time since their Paris showdown. That night in August, the American edged the Jamaican by just 0.005 seconds. But in Poland, the tables turned—Lyles finished second, trailing Thompson by 0.03 seconds.

Thompson also holds this season’s world-leading time, just as he did last year. Still, with the Olympic medalist withdrawing from Lausanne and only a slim chance of racing again before the Tokyo World Championships, fans will have to wait a little longer to see the two clash once more. For now, Lyles keeps a 2–1 head-to-head edge over Thompson in the 100m. But even without him, another rivalry storyline awaits Noah on the track.

The head-to-head rivalry between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek tilts heavily in favor of the Olympic 100m champion, with Lyles leading 13–2. Their first clash came in 2020 at Back to the Track in Florida, where Lyles (19.94) edged Bednarek (20.19). Kenny wouldn’t notch a win until 2021—after losses at the USATF Golden Games and the U.S. Olympic Trials, he finally broke through on the biggest stage, taking Olympic silver in Tokyo (19.68) while Lyles settled for bronze (19.74). But that lone victory stood still for three years.

In the meantime, Lyles kept adding to his tally—wins at the 2022 USATF Outdoor Championships, back-to-back world titles in 2022 and 2023, and more. Bednarek’s only other victory came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and even then, Lyles was diagnosed COVID. Since then, Kenny has fallen again—at the 2025 USATF Championships and the Silesia Diamond League. Well, Kenny won’t be at Lausanne, but odds are high the two will line up in Zurich to fight for the 100m Diamond League crown. And beyond that? The World Championships loom large. Which begs the question—can Lyles push his dominance far enough to step into Usain Bolt’s territory?