Reigning world champion Noah Lyles, has officially confirmed his long-awaited return to the 200 meters.
Since his golden treble in Budapest last year, where he claimed 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay titles, the American star has been conspicuously absent from his signature events.
An ankle concern earlier this year saw him withdraw from the Atlanta City Games, and his only appearance so far was a cautious 400m outing in Gainesville, clocking 45.87. But now, the waiting is over.
On Friday, July 11, at the Meeting Herculis Diamond League in Monaco, Lyles will make his 200m season debut, and by choosing this stage, he’s deliberately positioning himself opposite the event’s new headline act Letsile Tebogo.
Lyles posted the details on social media.
“Meeting Herculis. Diamond League Monaco. 200m 2025 Debut. Friday, July 11.”
Tebogo, fresh from his historic Olympic victory in Paris where he clocked a blistering 19.46, the fifth-fastest time in history, is the man currently holding the season’s fastest time of 19.76 from the Prefontaine Classic. The Botswana star has quickly climbed from prodigy to rival, and Monaco could be the first major clash in a fresh, era-defining sprint rivalry.
More Than Just A Race
The implications of Friday’s race stretch far beyond Monaco’s picturesque track. For Lyles, it’s about reasserting his dominance. For Tebogo, it’s a chance to prove that Budapest wasn’t an end, it was a changing of the guard.
And while the two sprinters’ rivalry is most alive in lane assignments and stopwatch readings, a bit of off-track tension has simmered too.
In the aftermath of his Paris triumph, Tebogo made headlines by distancing himself from Lyles’ outspoken persona, noting pointedly, “I’m not an arrogant or loud person like Noah.” It was a sharp, deliberate remark in a sport where rivalries are often couched in mutual respect and clichés.
Yet, despite the verbal jab, both men have maintained a professional relationship. Their competitive fire ignites when the starter’s pistol fires, and switches off at the finish line. The tension is competitive, not personal, though it undeniably raises the stakes for fans and commentators alike.
A Crucial Test for Lyles
Lyles’ decision to delay his sprint season debut until July was a strategic one. Rather than rush back into competition, he and his team chose a cautious approach, focusing on long-term fitness and peaking when it matters most. His appearance in Monaco is a statement.
If he runs well, he instantly reclaims his spot as the man to beat with a loaded track calendar ahead. If he struggles, it signals a genuine shift in sprinting’s power balance, with Tebogo poised to fill the void.
Either way, Friday night promises one of the season’s most anticipated showdowns.