Under the grey skies of London’s Olympic Stadium, all eyes were on Noah Lyles. The reigning world champion was set to light up the 100m at the Diamond League meet. But just as the crowd leaned in for another Lyles masterpiece, Oblique Seville flipped the script. The Jamaican burst out of the blocks and never let up, crossing the line in a season-best 9.86 seconds. Lyles, despite a late push, couldn’t close the gap finishing second in 10.00. It wasn’t just a loss; it was a revelation. Lyles, known more for his dominance in the 200m, is still chasing that same command in the 100m. But there’s a method to the madness, and Justin Gatlin knows exactly what that is.
Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, has been watching Lyles closely. On his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin reveals the method behind Lyles’ madness: a return to 200-meter training to supercharge his 100-meter game. “I think that his coach Lance and himself are coming up with the idea that if I am in 200-meter shape, real 200 elite shape, then that 100 meters is still going to look really good. It’s still going to give him what he’s looking for,” Gatlin says. “I say that because that was our superweapon during our era. You had people who were an anomaly like Asafa Powell, who rarely ran 200s. But he was able to turn out 9.7s and 9.8s as if he was a double athlete.” So, what’s the edge Lyles is chasing?
Gatlin’s insight taps into a timeless sprinting truth: 200-meter training builds endurance and speed maintenance, key for a blistering 100-meter finish. Lyles, fresh off a 19.88-second 200m win in Monaco, is banking on this. Gatlin explains, “They’re trying to go back and say, let’s make sure we solidify that we have a superior 200-meter in-shape execution time on the board, and that’s going to start handling everything we didn’t handle when it comes to the 100 meters.” But with Seville’s explosive start in London, is the field catching up?
Noah Lyles after his loss in the 100 metres to Oblique Seville Novuna Diamond League, Athletics, London Stadium, London, UK – 19 Jul 2025London London Stadium United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxCHNxDENxINDxITAxPORxESPxSWExTURxMEXxCOLxVENxPERxECUxBRAxARGxCHIxURUxPARxPANxONLY Copyright: xJavierxGarcia/Shutterstockx 15403611aa
Today’s sprinters, Gatlin observes, aren’t creating early separation like Christian Coleman once did. “Everyone’s kind of getting out in the same area,” he says. Lyles himself once admitted, “If I’m able to touch you, I’m in your pocket.” Facing rivals like Kishane Thompson, who can hit 9.7s with ease, Lyles knows raw speed isn’t enough. Gatlin praises his awareness: “I commend him on the fact that he knows he’s not the most superior runner when it comes to 100-meter foot speed.” So, how will Lyles turn this strategy into gold at the Tokyo World Championships?
With September’s World Championships looming, Lyles’ 200-meter focus could be his ace. By sharpening his endurance, he’s betting on outlasting rivals in finals, where every moment counts. Can this old-school approach outshine Seville’s lightning starts?
Noah Lyles thrives under pressure
Well, on July 19, 2025, London Stadium roars as Noah Lyles steps off the track after a 100-meter duel at the Diamond League. Oblique Seville’s 9.86 steals the show, but Lyles, clocking 10.00 for second, is unfazed. “I pray for times like this to be out here and do what I love,” he says post-race, his voice steady. No pressure, he claims, and you believe him. It’s not just bravado, Lyles has built an internal control tower, keeping him cool when the stakes burn hot. But what makes this mindset tick?
Lyles is track’s lightning rod, a polarizing figure who doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. He knows he’s a magnet for attention, sometimes even stoking the fire with his larger-than-life persona. “Look at me,” his presence demands, a rarity in a sport that often rewards quiet focus. Yet, that boldness comes with a cost. Fans and critics expect perfection every race, and when he falls short, the noise is deafening. How does he handle the weight?
His answer is simple: keep running. Lyles absorbs the scrutiny and channels it into fuel. Losses like London don’t derail him; they sharpen his focus. With the Tokyo World Championships on the horizon, can this unshakable resolve turn close calls into gold?
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