Justin Gatlin Boldly Rejects Labeling Noah Lyles as Track and Field's Next Generation

• Track and field

In the world of track and field, Noah Lyles has emerged as a name frequently compared to the legendary Usain Bolt. His desire to shatter the world record in the 200-meter race, a record held by the fastest man on Earth, has been a prominent topic of discussion. Recently, Lyles has been more outspoken than ever about this ambition, boldly claiming that he will achieve this feat in the near future.

Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion, had an outstanding 2023 season that left the world both in awe and divided in opinion. While his accomplishments on the track were undeniably impressive, one experienced American track and field athlete did not anoint Lyles as the torchbearer of the sport's future. This development takes center stage following Lyles' performance at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic.

The catalyst for this revelation was a post on social media featuring Justin Gatlin, a renowned American sprinter. In a video, Gatlin unveiled the identity of a highly anticipated rising star in the track and field world. Gatlin expressed that this athlete, hailing from a different nation, possessed exceptional speed and outperformed Noah Lyles. Despite facing challenges, Gatlin firmly believes that this athlete will excel and surpass all others in the sport.

Recently, Justin Gatlin was a guest on The Tidal League Podcast, where he discussed Noah Lyles' upcoming 2023 season and shared insights into his own journey. However, it was Gatlin's unexpected declaration about Letsile Tebogo, a sprinter from Botswana, being the future of track and field that left the audience astonished.

Teeming Talent and Lyles' Pursuit

Gatlin showered Tebogo with praise, admiring his running style, consistent positivity, and unwavering dedication. Gatlin was particularly impressed by Tebogo's ability to outperform his competitors and his high level of expertise. The 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo recently clinched two gold medals at the World Under 20 Championships, further solidifying his status as an emerging talent in men's sprinting.

Ironically, despite Noah Lyles' aspirations to break Usain Bolt's record, he has not achieved this feat yet. Lyles has often been likened to Usain Bolt and has vocally expressed his determination to surpass the current world record in the 200-meter race, held by the iconic Jamaican sprinter.

In response to queries about Usain Bolt's record-breaking time, Lyles confidently asserted, "I am certain that I will break it." His conviction stems from his recent accomplishment of breaking Michael Johnson's 1996 record, completing the race in a mere 19.31 seconds, besting Johnson's time of 19.32 seconds.

At the age of 26, Noah Lyles' goal is to surpass Usain Bolt's remarkable record, held by the athlete who secured eight Olympic gold medals during the 2009 World Championship. Lyles has set his sights on victory in both the 100m and 200m races at the upcoming 2023 World Championship in Budapest, Hungary, with the ambitious aim of clinching two coveted gold medals. Additionally, he aims to achieve a new personal best in the 4x100m relay.

Despite falling short of breaking the record in the 200-meter race with a time of 19.52 seconds, Lyles remains undeterred. His determination is unwavering, and he looks forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics as another opportunity to substantiate his claims on the track. Noah Lyles is a force to be reckoned with in the world of track and field, and his pursuit of greatness continues to captivate fans and enthusiasts worldwide.