MONACO, MONACO – JULY 11: Noah Lyles of the United States celebrates after winning in the Men’s 200m … More
After taking three months off from competition due to injury, 100-meter dash Olympic champion Noah Lyles returned to the track for the Monaco Diamond League. Lyles was scheduled to race in the 200-meter dash against the reigning Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo.
Despite Lyles’ setback, he was able to pull off his first win of the season ahead of the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships scheduled for later this month.
How Noah Lyles And Letsile Tebogo Are Working Their Way Back To The Top
MONACO, MONACO – JULY 11: Noah Lyles of the United States looks on after winning in the Men’s 200m … More
Yesterday at the Monaco Diamond League, Olympic champions Lyles and Tebogo went head-to-head in the 200-meter dash. Tebogo controlled the race from the start, setting the tone that he was confident after his win at the Prefontaine Classic last weekend. Although Lyles did not have the quickest start, he was able to develop momentum around the curve and challenge Tebogo as they powered into the homestretch.
Lyles stayed calm under Tebogo’s pressure and was able to secure the victory in 19.88. Tebogo was not far behind in 19.97. After the meet, Tebogo expressed he didn’t have ample time to warm up, which contributed to his performance not living up to his expectations.
“First of all, I am disappointed in my performance,” said Tebogo. “…back in the call room where they called us in earlier than expected, so I did not do my whole warm-up.”
Producing a sub-20-second performance without full preparation is another sign that Tebogo is fit and will continue to run faster when all of his accommodations are properly met.
Both Olympic champions have dealt with unfavorable circumstances this post-Olympic season. As mentioned before, Lyles took three months off from competition to nurse an injury. The last time he competed this outdoor season was back in April, where he ran the 400-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay at Tom Jones.
Following the meet in Florida, Lyles was scheduled to run at the Atlanta City Games, where he equaled the American record in the 150-meter dash last year. Lyles released a statement the day before the meet began and stated that he wouldn’t be competing due to ankle tightness.
The race in Monaco was heavily anticipated by fans since the last time spectators watched Lyles and Tebogo on the start line together was at the Paris Olympics last August. Lyles, who is typically more vocal on social media about his expectations and self-confidence, had been silent over the past several weeks. No one knew what to expect of his fitness going into this weekend’s competition.
Last week at the Prefontaine Classic, Tebogo ran 19.76 in the 200-meter dash to establish a new world lead. Tebogo, similar to Lyles, took time off from competition before winning his first Diamond League race back.
EUGENE, OREGON – JULY 5: Letsile Tebogo of Botswana competes in the Men’s 200m during the … More
Six weeks before the Prefontaine Classic, Tebogo placed last in the 100-meter dash at the Rabat Diamond League. The Olympic champion has taken longer than usual to find his rhythm this season. Tebogo didn’t have the best season opening times in his main events and was inconsistent during the early portions of the year.
In an interview with Citius Mag, Tebogo expressed that his rough start was due to a recurring knee injury. The injury flared up in May, which was the cause of his performance in Rabat. His six-week break proved to be necessary as he looked to be back to his old self last weekend in Eugene, Oregon.
Although Lyles and Tebogo are slowly working their way back to the top after injury, they both proved they’re ready for what’s to come later this season.
As both athletes begin to find their race pattern, they will have to prepare for two-time Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek. This season, Bednarek was named Racer of the Year in the Grand Slam Track league for winning each short sprint Slam title. So far, he has run a 19.84 in the 200-meter dash and a wind-aided 9.79 in the 100-meter dash. Bednarek is currently undefeated this season. The likelihood of the Paris Olympic podium consisting of the same three men is high based on their performances this year and their unwavering determination.
Fans looking to watch Lyles race again before the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships can catch him on the track at the London Diamond League on July 19th, where he will contest the 100-meter dash.
