Featured Image Credit: Photo: Getty Images
Topics: Athletics, Noah Lyles, Usain Bolt
Ben McAleer
Noah Lyles gave the perfect reply to Usain Bolt’s world record comments ahead of the Diamond League meet in London.
In an interview with Citius Mag last year, Bolt dished out a cold response when asked on Lyles’ chances of taking his records.
“I think the guys are really doing well. It's really intense, I must say,” Bolt said of the current crop of sprinters ahead of the Paris Games last year.
“I think Noah will think it's easy running both events. It was never easy. I've always said it is not east running back-to-back events and then going on to break the world record, because your body runs out of energy, so you're not ready.”
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On Lyles potentially beating his 200m record, Bolt said: “I think the possibility is there, because he came close at the world championships. If he corrects a few things, he could get better. The possibility is there.
“I won't say [what he needs to correct]. I won't tell you how to break the world record.”
And Lyles responded in perfect fashion at the Diamond League meet in Monaco as he held off Tebogo, running the 200m in 19.88 seconds, with the Olympic champion finishing in second with a 19.97.
This despite Lyles having not raced since a 400m in April, and a 200m in almost a year.
“It was a great race, I'm really glad to be healthy,” Lyles said after the win. “This shows I'm still in the game.
“I put myself in the fire for that one coming back against Tebogo. But I didn't feel any pressure, I don't see any reason to put pressure on myself - that's what we love to do."
Tebogo, meanwhile, said he was “disappointed” with the result but added that he now has an “idea of what to work on”.
Tebogo will be presented with an immediate chance to exact revenge upon Lyles when the pair face off in the 100m at the Diamond League meet in London this weekend.
A bumper crowd is expected at the London Stadium, home of Premier League side West Ham, when Lyles runs his first 100m of the year.
The World Championships in Tokyo is also on the horizon, with the event taking place in September, with Lyles given a bye for the US trials having missed the early-season competition.
Lyles had been struggling with a tendon injury, with his 200m triumph in Monaco marking his first track event following his return.
“I have a bye for the US Trials which makes it less stressful because it gives us the time to work on the races. It gives us time to see what works and what doesn't and to be able to make moves from there,” Lyles said.