Just Me and Him - Noah Lyles Calls for Exclusive Duel with Kishane Thompson in Jamaica

Noah Lyles is excited to compete against Kishane Thompson in the men’s 100m at the Silesia Diamond League, but there is one more request he has for the Jamaican sprint king.

Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson last locked horns in the men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympic Games. The three-time world 200m champion snatched the victory, crossing the finish line just five thousandths of a second faster than Thompson.

They now renew their rivalry in Silesia, but Noah Lyles believes there is more they could do to continue making track and field more interesting.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

The reigning Olympic 100m champion revealed that it is exciting to compete against Kishane Thompson with other people on the starting line, but it would be more thrilling if they went up against each other alone.

Noah Lyles added that he would love to race in Jamaica, and he is confident that the stadium will be sold out due to the profile of the race.

“Personally, I wanted to just do a one-on-one race in Jamaica. I thought that would have just been amazing. Me and him just like, ‘Hey, we're going to sell out the whole stadium. It's just going to be me and him,” Noah Lyles revealed in an interview shared by Sports Passion.

“Maybe have some other people do like some 200s, 100s, and stuff like that. But like me and Kishane right next to each other, lane by lane, just us two dueling it out. I feel like we could have sold out the crowd for sure. I thought that would have been a lot of fun.”

Speaking of the distance he preferred between the 100m and 200m, Noah Lyles admitted that it was a tough question, noting that the 200m will forever have a place in his heart.

He added that failing to win the gold medal in the men’s 200m at the Paris Olympic Games was a painful moment.

Noah Lyles pointed out that during his training ahead of the Olympic Games, he was sure about clocking a personal best time, but testing positive for COVID changed everything.

“It hurt a lot, and it was a lot of the reason why I decided I was like I need to try at least because I never know what my body could produce,” Noah Lyles said.

“But the 100 is obviously the glory race, you know, and it's obviously the one that gets you the most attention. I could say if I won the 200 and lost the 100, it wouldn't have hit the same going back to the US, you know, for sure. And probably even in the world, it would be a lot different.”

This season, Noah Lyles has competed sparingly, beginning his campaign with the indoor races before heading outdoors, where he picked up an injury and was forced to take about three weeks off.

Noah Lyles competed in his first 200m of the season at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco before making his 100m season debut in London.

He then proceeded to the USA Championships, racing in the 100m heats before reigning supreme in the 200m heats and final.