Erriyon Knighton once dazzled the world of track with promises of stepping into the shoes of Noah Lyles, and rumors of a new American sprinting sensation began to swirl. But surprise swept over Atlanta when he didn’t appear at the Games, leaving spectators and analysts bewildered. What went so terribly wrong for the emerging star? Underneath the facade of this no-show is a worrisome mistake—one that could redefine the path for Knighton in the sport.
Erriyon Knighton’s absence left many scratching their heads. He was seen warming up just hours before but never actually lined up at the start. Knighton merely misplaced when he was to run, falling through his opportunity though healthy and available. This was not his sole recent disappointment—suffered too, however, was the World Relays, where he was kept out by a final-hour visa holdup, illustrating some of the behind-the-scenes logistics of an athlete’s career.
Sprinter Anderson Emerole, on his YouTube channel “The Final Leg Track & Field,” said that “One missing name was Erriyon Knighton, who was a DNS—did not start—in the 100 in the heats, and that was a whole question: like, what’s going on with Erriyon Knighton?” He had been seen at practice just the day before and warming up on race day. The explanation?
“Unfortunately, there was just a mixup of the time. It seems like he just misidentified the time that he was supposed to run,” Emerole explained. This timing mishap adds to recent complications for Knighton. He was also slated to compete at the World Relays but didn’t show up, stirring rumors about his status. The reality was a last-minute visa delay—he received his Chinese visa only a day or two before he was due to fly out.
Anderson Emerole further added, “There were the 100m heats and then the finals, so he mixed things up and thought he was supposed to run later or just didn’t understand the full time.” Knighton was actually at the warm-up track at the exact moment the 100m runners were setting up their blocks—but he missed his race start. “I don’t know, it is what it is, but the good thing is that he’s healthy.”
With the race schedule so tight, traveling and then competing immediately after would have left little time for rest or adjustment, making it an impractical decision. But the question looms: will he be able to overcome these setbacks?
What does Erriyon Knighton’s future look like?
Erriyon Knighton’s career in sprinting appears every bit as thrilling as his dynamite 200m performances. At just 20 years of age, he’s already established himself as a two-time World Championship medalist and the 2023 U.S. 200m champion. And with a best time of 19.49 seconds, he’s in the same class as Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles.
Now, looking ahead, Knighton has his eyes firmly set on the 2025 season. He’s gearing up to compete in some big-name events like the Diamond League meets in Doha and Rabat, plus the Continental Tour stops in Tokyo and Zagreb. These races will be key opportunities for him to test his speed and show the world how consistent he can be.
Sure, Erriyon Knighton hasn’t snagged a major global title just yet—but let’s be real, he’s still very much in the running (pun intended). His rivalry with Noah Lyles has been one of the most exciting storylines in sprinting lately. Right now, Lyles holds the edge, no doubt. But if there’s anyone who can flip the script, it’s Knighton. He’s got the kind of raw talent and relentless drive that makes you think, yeah, it’s only a matter of time.
Even Usain Bolt has taken notice. That’s right—the Usain Bolt. He’s gone on record saying Knighton has what it takes to be a future sprinting legend. High praise from the fastest man in history? That says a lot. And let’s not forget, Knighton isn’t doing this alone. He’s got a powerhouse coach in Mike Holloway, a name that carries serious weight in track and field. With that kind of mentorship, plus Knighton’s own hunger to prove himself, the 2025 season could be a turning point.
The post Erriyon Knighton’s Massive Mistake Exposed After American Star No-Shows at Atlanta Games Despite Commitments appeared first on EssentiallySports.