Noah Lyles on Why He Cherishes Underdog Status Ahead of Kishane Thompson 100m Challenge in Silesia

Noah Lyles is set to take on Kishane Thompson in the 100 meters in Silesia for the first time since the Paris Olympic Final in 2024.

Reigning Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles says his willingness to embrace the underdog role is what fuels his performances on the biggest stages, as he prepares for a high-profile clash with Jamaican sprint star Kishane Thompson at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland.

It will be the first time the pair meet since the Paris Olympic final last year, where Lyles edged Thompson by a mere five-thousandths of a second to claim gold in one of the closest 100m finishes in history. 

Thompson, who missed the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, has returned in explosive form this season, clocking a world-leading 9.75 seconds at the Jamaican trials in June — the sixth-fastest time ever.

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Lyles, who recently suffered a surprise defeat to Jamaica’s Oblique Seville at the London Diamond League, faces a loaded field in Silesia, including US teammates Kenny Bednarek, Christian Coleman, Lindsey Courtney, and Trayvon Bromell, as well as South African veteran Akani Simbine.

Reflecting on his career journey, Lyles revealed that constantly putting himself in challenging situations has been key to his growth.

Being in Challenging Situations Makes Me Better - Noah Lyles

“Constantly forcing myself to have to be better by being in difficult situations,” he said. “When I first started, a lot of people knew me as a 200 meter runner, but I always knew myself as a 100 meter runner as well. 

“After having the 200 on lock, I moved on to the 100, put in a lot of work, and now I have triple gold in Budapest, Olympic gold in the 100, bronze in the 200, and I’m known as one of the best 100 meter runners in the world — the fastest man.”

Lyles added that lining up against athletes with faster season’s bests excites him rather than intimidates him.

“Constantly putting myself in positions where people might have faster PRs than me is what gets me excited. It forces me to step up to the plate and make it count.”

The American will be aiming to reaffirm his dominance, while Thompson will be eager to reverse the result from Paris — setting up a 100m showdown worthy of a Diamond League classic.