Noah Lyles Puts Letsile Tebogo On Alert With Surprise Track and Field Announcement

Letsile Tebogo and Noah Lyles. Photos: Imago

Noah Lyles Puts Letsile Tebogo On Alert With Surprise Track and Field Announcement

Joel Omotto 06:46 - 09.07.2025

Noah Lyles has broken his silence regarding the 200m race which he last featured in at the Paris Olympics when he lost to Letslie Tebogo.

After a long and unpredictable season marked by absence and questions surrounding his fitness, Noah Lyles is set to return to the track.

He will make his 200m debut of the year in Monaco this Friday, facing Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo at the Monaco Diamond League.

Lyles's last 200m race ended in crushing defeat when Tebogo shocked him at the Paris 2024 Olympics to win gold as he settled for bronze behind fellow American Kenny Bednarek.

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However, he hasn't competed in an open 100m or 200m race this year. His season began quietly with a 400m run in Gainesville in April, followed by a withdrawal from the Atlanta City Games due to a minor ankle injury.

The Monaco Diamond League meeting will be a significant test for Lyles. He will face Tebogo, who recently clocked the world's fastest 200m time this year (19.76 seconds) at the Prefontaine Classic. Lyles confirmed his participation on social media, generating anticipation for his return.

Lyles's delayed sprint debut suggests a strategic focus on the upcoming season rather than immediate results.

A strong performance in Monaco would not only reaffirm his status as world champion but also establish him as the frontrunner for the rest of the season.

Tebogo Reflects on Rivalry with Lyles

Letsile Tebogo defeated Noah Lyles for the Olympic 200m gold in Paris last summer. Photo. Imago

Following his Olympic triumph in Paris, Letsile Tebogo made headlines by contrasting his personality with Noah Lyles's, calling the American "arrogant and loud." However, Tebogo has since adopted a more conciliatory tone.

"When we finish, you can be friends, life goes on. It’s a rivalry on the track, and then off the track, we are human beings,” Tebogo stated in a recent interview.

His victory in Paris, with a time of 19.46 seconds, cemented his place among the world's elite sprinters.

Despite their contrasting styles, Tebogo acknowledges Lyles's role in promoting the sport. He maintains a professional approach to their rivalry, emphasizing that competition is confined to the track.

"Everybody who’s there on the lineup, it’s a rival," he explained. Past performance doesn't eliminate anyone from contention in his eyes.