It’s been nearly five months since Noah Lyles electrified Boston with a 6.52-second  win in the 60 m at the New Balance Indoor GP on February 2, 2025. Two months later, we saw him again at the 4×100 relay at the Tom Jones Memorial, where he led the US team to victory. Two months have passed yet again; since then, silence. But Lyles’ fans know that this drought will end on July 19th, when this champion bursts onto the outdoor stage in the 100 m at the London Diamond League. This is the same London Stadium where he set his 9.81s personal best last year. However, just weeks before this comeback, Noah Lyles has made a subtle, yet concerning move…

On July 8, 2025, if fans were to surf Noah Lyles’ Instagram, all they would see is a single picture of him on the feed. That is right! The Olympic champion has wiped away all his posts from the gram. Currently, there is only a single post of Noah Lyles on his account. The only posts available are those with his fiancée, Junelle Bromfield, and from the Beyond The Records podcast he hosts alongside Rai Benjamin and Grant Holloway. In addition to this, the other post is a video of the Olympian receiving physiotherapy.

The cover of the reel shows Noah laying down with the text, “Matthew 4:1” at the center of it. The caption reads, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. – Matthew 4:1.” This verse marks the beginning of Jesus’ famous temptation in the desert, coming right after his baptism by John in Matthew 3. However, the question remains– why would Noah Lyles, the outgoing personality that he is, decide to go silent on his gram? That too, right before his big comeback moment in London.

Contrary to his recent actions, Lyles has been known for being unapologetically outspoken on social media. From questioning NBA players calling themselves “world champions” to publicly criticizing brands for sidelining him in favor of an NBA star, he consistently uses his platforms to voice strong, unfiltered opinions, regardless of the backlash. So deleting all his posts and quoting the Bible before his 2025 Diamond League debut might hint that the Olympic gold medalist is aiming for something big in the race. You never know, a silent Noah Lyles can be a dangerous Noah Lyles.

Noah Lyles heads to the London Diamond League on July 19, aiming for his sixth Diamond Trophy, just one shy of the record held by Renaud Lavillenie and Christian Taylor. It’s also a critical build-up ahead of the Tokyo World Championships this September, where Lyles already holds wildcards in both the 100 m and 200 m, thanks to his Budapest 2023 victories. A dominant London performance would not only push his Diamond League legacy but also set the tone for a world title defense.

“My road to defending my world titles in Tokyo in September goes through London,” said the 27-year-old. “I’ve had great experiences there the last two years, running some of my fastest times, and I look forward to another in July. See you there!.” Skipping the Prefontaine Classic due to a minor ankle injury, Lyles now gets his first serious test of fitness in London. A strong run would silence doubts about his readiness. Also, waiting for him in Tokyo would be his Olympic rival. 

Lyles edged Thompson by just .005sec in the 100m final in Paris 11 months ago and they haven’t faced each other since. “I’m a very competitive person,” Thompson said after clocking 9.85s for the win in 100meters at the Eugene Diamond League. “I might not show it, but when it comes to competing with a phenomenal person, I think he’s a phenomenal athlete, great rival. So, yeah, of course, when he’s ready to step back on the track and we meet, it’s going to be fireworks for sure.” 

At Jamaica’s National Championships in Kingston on June 27, 2025, Thompson blasted to a world-leading 9.75 seconds. It made him the sixth-fastest man ever in the 100 m. Coach Rob sent a warning to Noah Lyles and Co., citing this performance. London could be a chance for Noah to send a message through his performance. Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill’s trash-talk-fueled rivalry has taken a hit, especially after Lyles pulled out of a high-profile 50‑yard/100 m race in Times Square due to “personal reasons”. Hill has mocked Lyles a lot, which has caused his reputation a lot of damage. London is a chance to restore it all, don’t you think?