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Noah Lyles and His Track and Field Rivalries That Got Us Hooked

Published 02/21/2024, 11:00 AM EST

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The 2024 track and field season has opened as a blazer for Noah Lyles. The 2023 “3 Peat” star is not only hoping to repeat this feat but also aims for a ‘sprint quadruple’ by participating in multiple distances. His statement for his 2024 opener and until the most recent USTAF showdown has been “Coming for all.”

Since he has matched up all his bold claims so far, track fans are as excited as ever to see the 2023 World Champion pave his way to the Paris Olympics. As he charts his path towards “world domination,” let’s delve into the rivalries only on the track for Noah Lyles this year.

The icons who could keep Noah Lyles on his feet in 2024

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In 2024, Noah Lyles has major contenders and track rivals who are poised to keep him on his toes. Let us begin with Erriyon Knighton, who is a major competitor to Lyles, having become the youngest-ever individual sprint medalist in Championships history. Their rivalry intensified at the 2022 USATF Championships, where Lyles narrowly bested Knighton in a thrilling 200-meter showdown.

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Despite Knighton’s relentless pursuit, Lyles secured gold again at the 2023 World Championships, with Knighton closely trailing for silver. Their rivalry persisted, with Lyles clinching victory once more at the 2023 Atlanta City Games, adding to the intrigue surrounding their matchups. Next on the list is Christian Coleman, whom Lyles had been trying to defeat for a while. Coleman, holding the indoor record for the 60 meters, posed a formidable challenge.

Their rivalry reached a crescendo at the 2024 USTAF Indoor Championships, where Lyles narrowly edged out Coleman in the 60-meter event, marking a significant victory for Lyles in their ongoing 2024 competition. As we look ahead, let us see other massive contenders for Lyles this year.

More contention for the “3Peat” star

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Fred Kerley emerges as another compelling rival, boasting distinct strengths that set the stage for an intriguing rivalry. Tensions escalated during a pre-World Championships press conference in 2023, where Kerley boldly declared the 100-meter title his, sparking verbal tension with Lyles. Fred Kerley, the defending champion of the 2022 Champion, stated, “If Noah’s going to run 9.65, then I’m running faster.”

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Lyles, who was a few seats away, shared, “That’s what they all say until they get beat.” This sparked sparks of rivalry as, eventually, Lyles went on to win the race. The rivalry with André De Grasse and Lyles also adds further excitement to the track and field scene. At the 2019 World Championships, Noah Lyles won the 200-meter gold medal, while De Grasse took silver.

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And to add another intriguing layer, at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, De Grasse won the 200-meter gold medal, while Lyles finished third, earning a bronze. As a result, this year’s Olympic showdown could witness these track legends vying for the coveted gold medal. It is important to note that these rivalries only exist on the track, and with each race, the 2024 season promises to be an electrifying journey for Noah Lyles and track enthusiasts worldwide.

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Written by:

Christaline Meyers

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Christaline Meyers is a senior Olympics writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in gymnastics and alpine skiing. Christaline is one of the acclaimed authorities in the coverage of 6x All-Around champion, Simone Biles. She has written extensively, covering every detail of Biles’s life stories as well as providing her perspective on Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike controversy.
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Edited by:

Sampurna Pal