Noah Lyles Sends Important Reminder to USATF After Defeating Letsile Tebogo: ”Last Leg”

“Tebogo’s got half a yard and now it’s down to 10cm, and now it’s almost dead heat,” the commentator said as Noah Lyles came storming back at Letsile Tebogo in front of an excited crowd at Letzigrund Stadium. The Olympic 100m champion chased down the 200m Olympic gold medalist to snatch the Diamond League 200m trophy in Zurich, stopping the clock at 19.74s (-0.6). After the race, Lyles was asked if he believes the U.S. can finally grab relay gold in Tokyo, after falling short in Paris. His response? A pointed message straight to USATF.

“Couldn’t tell you. I’ll just say this. Every time I’m on last leg…” Lyles did not add any further, but the answer was very clear. Lyles on the last leg meant a win for the USA. Back in the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Christian Coleman, like always, was quick out of the blocks, getting the US team a good start, but then there was a dangerous exchange between Fred Kerley and Brandon Carnes. But Noah Lyles was running the last leg.

Carnes handed the 100m world champion the baton, and within 8.88 seconds, the 28-year-old had crossed the finish line, getting the team total to 37.38s, the fastest time recorded that year. Lyles again anchored Team USA in the 2024 World Athletics Relays, taking over from Kyree King and sprinting home in 37.40 seconds, again a world-leading mark. In the 2019 World Championships as well, the Americans clocked 37.10 seconds, breaking the U.S. record and recording the second-fastest time in history up to that point. Anchor? Noah Lyles. But these wins weren’t easy, and the problems were not just on the track.

“I mean, the crazier part is those times that we have won has been the most hectic behind-the-scenes organization we’ve ever had,” Lyles remarked. In 2019, USATF shook things up by consolidating key leadership roles in its bylaws. What they saw as streamlining, others, like longtime coach Vin Lananna, saw as a power grab, sparking real tension about how the sport was being run. Fast forward to 2023…

The cracks started to show financially: The federation lost $5.6 million, with revenues slipping from nearly $38 million to $35 million.

By 2024, the financial squeeze had become impossible to ignore, forcing USATF to cancel big-ticket events like the L.A. Grand Prix and Bermuda Grand Prix. Noah Lyles further added that he cannot say whether the organization is good or bad, or if they will win or not. He gave a message that, “it’s all of our jobs to put our best foot forward, and make sure we get to stick around.”

The 100m and 200m world champion would love to go for gold at relays because that would help them repeat history.

A 4x100m gold can repeat history for Noah Lyles

At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Noah Lyles made his dream of a sprint treble come true.

He stormed to victory in the 100m with a blazing 9.83 seconds, followed it up with a dominant 200m win in 19.52 seconds, and then anchored the U.S. men’s 4x100m relay team to gold. He entered the 2024 Olympics hoping for the same, but that did not happen. But now, Tokyo is on his list.

At the London Diamond League, Noah Lyles placed second in the 100m, clocking 10.00 seconds behind Oblique Seville’s winning 9.86. Speaking afterward in an interview with FloTrack, he was asked by high school national record holder Brayden Williams (9.82) whether the sprint treble dream was still alive.

“Why would it not be?… I see no reason why it should be a doubt. To the day that we get down to the last eyelash of that race, it’s always alive, ” the Olympic gold medalist answered.

After the 200m clash with Tebogo in the DL final, it feels like the 200m world championship final is going to be competitive, as Lyles might steal a win. The 100m feels extra hard with Kishane being the fastest man in the 100m since 2015, though you can never count out the 100m Olympic gold medalist from a 100m race. But no doubt, if USATF lets Noah Lyles run the final leg in the 4x100m final, it’s going to be pivotal for his win.