Throughout his life, Noah Lyles has competed against professional track athletes and conquered the track multiple times. The Olympic gold medalist and one of the planet’s fastest humans, is no stranger to the spotlight. With a 100-meter personal best of 9.83 seconds and a 200-meter world lead of 19.53 in 2024, he’s the king of the track. But lately, he’s been fielding challenges from outsiders, non-track stars like NFL speedster Tyreek Hill and YouTuber IShowSpeed, who want a piece of the sprinting action. For fans, this feels like a blockbuster crossover event. Who’s bold enough to step up to Lyles?

Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver known for his blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash, has been vocal about racing Lyles. Earlier, Hill proposed a head-to-head sprint, even suggesting they “shut down New York Times Square” for it. Meanwhile, IShowSpeed, the YouTube sensation with millions of followers, already faced Lyles in a 50-meter exhibition race hosted by MrBeast in 2024. Though Lyles won, the race looked closer than expected, sparking buzz. Speed also tried his hand at discus with a world record holder, a moment Lyles found unexpectedly cool. But how does the sprint king feel about these challenges?

Lyles, ever the showman, sees these call-outs as a golden opportunity. “If you’re getting called out, that’s a good thing, because that means you’re at the top,” he said in an interview on side sidelines of the London meet. Instead of brushing off Hill or Speed as disrespectful, he’s all about turning these moments into “a humungous spectacle.” He believes the buzz, positive or negative, can draw new eyes to track and field. “It’s like, okay, let’s capitalize on this,” Lyles said. “How do we bring that world into our world and say, ‘Hey, you guys like this? Well, let’s go 110% more.’” So, what’s his game plan?

For Lyles, it’s about growing the sport. He envisions these challenges as a way to “make money off it, make business, grow fandoms, grow interests, grab the new generation.” The canceled race with Hill could’ve been a game-changer, with billboards and crowds amplifying track’s appeal. Even Speed’s discus stunt brought fresh attention. “Who had that on their bingo card?” Lyles laughed. By embracing these moments, he’s not just holding his ground, he’s inviting outsiders to boost the sprint scene. Can he turn these challenges into track’s next big moment?

Noah Lyles gears up for star-studded London Diamond League

Noah Lyles, the Olympic 100m champ, is ready to light up the London Diamond League on July 19, 2025. Fresh off a 19.88-second 200m win in Monaco, Lyles is tackling the 100m, where he clocked a personal best of 9.81 in 2024. “It gives us time to see what works and what doesn’t and to be able to make moves from there.” he said, hyping his return to a track where he’s run some of his fastest times. With a 9.79 Olympic gold in Paris 2024, Lyles is the man to beat. But who’s stepping up to challenge him?

The London Stadium, hosting 60,000 fans, is set for a sprint showdown. Lyles faces Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, the 200m Olympic champ, and Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, the only sprinter to beat Lyles in a 100m final since 2023. Add in Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Jeremiah Azu, plus South Africa’s Akani Simbine, and this field is stacked.

Lyles, who skipped earlier meets due to a minor ankle injury, sees London as a key prep for September’s World Championships. Can Lyles dominate this star-studded lineup? With the 11th stop of the 2025 Diamond League buzzing, Lyles’ showmanship and speed promise fireworks. Will he send a message before Tokyo?