American Sprint Legend on Why Trayvon Bromell’s Rome 9.84 100m Show is Bad News for Noah Lyles and the Rest

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has explained why sprinters should be very afraid of Trayvon Bromell after his statement 100m victory at the Rome Diamond League classic.

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has explained the reasons behind Trayvon Bromell’s return to dominance after a couple of years of struggles which saw him even miss out on invitations to continental races.

Bromell showed all his competitors, including Ferdinand Omanyala and Fred Kerley dust in the 100 meters of the Rome Diamond League classic last Friday, setting a world leading time in the process.

Bromell, a two-time world outdoor bronze medallist and 2016 world indoor champion, displayed a show that may have announced his return to the top of the sprinting game.

Speaking on his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin analysed Bromell’s display, explaining how the margins the 29-year old has been working on in training after overcoming career-threatening injuries have helped his cause.

“Trayvon hit a shot and showed the world who he is again. I think people were starting to count him out,” Gatlin said.

“During the indoor season, he wasn’t putting up those sharp times we’re used to—he wasn’t hitting 6.47s. He was grinding through with 6.52s, and he didn’t look like the elite athlete we know. Honestly, he looked a bit underdeveloped, not in peak shape.”

But everything changed when the outdoor season began.

“He went quiet for a bit—training, staying out of the spotlight—and then he came back looking different. All the things we talked about with Trayvon—like building his shoulders and chest—he’s done them.”

Gatlin emphasized that Bromell’s improved physicality is key to his more powerful starts and smoother transitions through the drive and upright phases.

“When he was running those 9.7s and 9.8s like it was nothing, he had a different type of body. That power up top helped him transition smoother and finish stronger.”

Comparing Bromell’s Rome race to his earlier outing in Claremont, Gatlin described the difference as “night and day.”

“In Claremont, he got out well and cruised to the win. But in Rome, he decimated the competition. He broke them at the 35-meter mark and just kept pulling away.”

And there’s more to this victory than just the stopwatch.

“Little known fact: that 9.84 is the fastest time he’s ever run overseas. Coming back from an Achilles bone spur injury and dropping that kind of time? That shows you he’s not only back—he’s better, stronger, and ready to roll.”

Gatlin also pointed out how hard it was for Bromell to even get race invites earlier this season—an issue symptomatic of a sport that often forgets its stars quickly.

“It’s all ‘what have you done for me lately?’ You can build a name for yourself one year, and the next, if you’re not showing up, they act like there’s no space for you. But now? He’s making sure there’s space for him again—all the space he needs.”

The Big Picture

Trayvon Bromell’s return to form couldn't come at a more critical moment, with the Tokyo World Championships in September  fast approaching.

 And as Gatlin’s analysis suggests, if Bromell keeps trending upward, the race for the Olympic 100m gold just got a lot more complicated—for Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, and everyone else.