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Noah Lyles took the 200 meter final at the American athletic championships, but there was a certain tension after the race with Kenny Bednarek, the sprinter who finished right behind him.
Bednarek pushed Lyles, who looked at him back after crossing the finish line, and the two immediately entered this tense moment when Lyles was seen screaming at Bednarek.
Bednarek went to shake the hand of Lyles, but the latter did not move while looking at him. Bednarek was seen explaining something to Lyles, who seemed to tell him “I am waiting for my excuses”, before separating.
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Noah Lyles is driven by Kenny Bednarek after the final of the XFINITY MEN 200M at the USATF 2025 outdoor championships in Hayward Field on August 03, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
The crowd did not initially see the thrust, but when the video replay showed it on the Jumbotron on the Eugene track, Oregon, a strong reaction occurred.
This is a rivalry between Lyles and Bednarek, the latter, finishing with money at 200 meters at the Paris Olympic Games. Lyles finished with bronze in what should be his best event given his victory on Bednarek in the 2024 American Olympic tests.
Lyles, who had already won the 100 -meter gold, hoped to be crowned champion of 200 meters, cementing the fastest man in the world. Letsile Tebogo du Botswana won this race in Paris, marking the very first Olympic gold medal in the country.
The Olympic gold medalist, Noah Lyles, cancels the confrontation of speed against Tyreek Hill, quotes “personal reasons”
But while Lyles is a triple world champion who expects to win each race for which he enters the starting blocks, Bednarek had not lost once on the male circuit Sprinter this year.
So, after defeating Bednarek on the section, Lyles knew exactly what he was doing while looking back his competition. Bednarek was clearly frustrated in the moment with the push and the Lyles, his arms wide and bark back, added fuel to this rivalry which will surely be seen on the world scene next month in Tokyo.
During their interview after the race together, the tension was still high because they went and went with each other.
Noah Lyles reacts after winning the final of the XFINITY MEN 200M in front of Kenny Bednarek at the USATF 2025 outdoor championships in Hayward Field on August 03, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
“You are right,” said Lyles at Bednarek.
“I expected a call,” said Bednarek. “I tell you, if you have a problem, I expected a call. That’s all I say.”
“You know what? You are right,” replied Lyles. “Let’s talk after that.”
At the start of the interview, it was difficult not to ask what the verbal altercation was talking about, although Bednarek said he wouldn’t say anything on the track.
“But we have something to do and talk. That’s all I need to say,” he said.
Noah Lyles is driven by Kenny Bednarek after the final of the XFINITY MEN 200M at the USATF 2025 outdoor championships in Hayward Field on August 03, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
Being the defending world champion, Lyles had an automatic place in Tokyo entering Sunday, while Bednarek had to win him at Hayward Field. They will be among the favorites to be crowned world champion on September 19.
