Lyles vs Thompson: Paris Reloaded

^{August 11, 2025 | Edition #168}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

August has hit us with a truckload of memories! This time last year, many dreams were fulfilled and well, some were broken at the 2024 Paris Olympics. So we thought, what better time to relive Team USA’s most iconic moments than now! After all, with the Diamond League stops and World Champs coming up next, many Paris rematches are lined up. So, let’s go down a nostalgic tour, while we anticipate what lies ahead!

🌟 Track Stories

The Photo Finish That Started It All!

In the next 5 days, Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson will line up at the Silesia Diamond League for a 100m rematch. Then again, on the 20th at Lausanne. Both times, the stakes will be sky-high because these two already have a history. In fact, it was exactly this month last year when they had the most unforgettable 100m clash!

Let's rewind: It was August 4, 2024, and the Stade de France was packed with over 77,000 people, all eyeing the men’s 100m finals. As the gun went off, Noah Lyles’ slow reaction time of 0.178s left him in last place through the first 40 meters. Well, Thompson wasn’t much faster either, just 0.002s ahead. But then something shifted…

By the 60m mark, Lyles hit his top speed of 43.6 km/h, pulling ahead of Thompson, who chased at 43.2 km/h. In the end, they crossed the line together in 9.79s. But only one could win. So after minutes of gazing at the scoreboard, when the photo finish results finally flashed, Lyles had snatched the win by 0.005s, thanks to his torso dip. Watch how Lyles turned the tables on Thompson in Paris!

Wild celebrations followed as Lyles became the first American to win the Olympic 100m title in 20 years. Meanwhile, Thompson took silver with grace. But fast forward to today, with two rematches looming, Kishane will be eyeing his redemption. And chances are he gets it. Because hear this: When Thompson came to Paris in 2024, he was the world leader with a 9.77s time. Now in 2025, Thompson is still leading the world, only faster this time, with 9.75s. So yep, this August, pretty much like the last one, promises fireworks!

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📈 From The Vault

Trust Gabby To Do It Again?

Gabby Thomas is headed towards a huge chance! In case you didn’t know, the US hasn’t won the Women’s 200m event at the Worlds for the past 16 years, since Allyson Felix’s 2009 victory. But Gabby is kind of a specialist at ending long medal waits for America. And well, she has pulled it off once before…

We’ll take you back: August 6, 2024, Gabby stepped out for the 200m finals. And despite having the second slowest reaction (0.162s), she took over. Gabby finished first in 21.83 and her reaction? Pure disbelief! She straight up broke down. After all, Gabby was not just the Olympic champion now, but the only one to go sub-22 that night. Whereas Julien Alfred could only get second in 22.08s. Here, watch how Gabby left Alfred in the dust!

Not only this, another thing made Gabby’s win unforgettable. That evening, Gabby also became the first American sprinter to grab gold in the 200m at the Olympic since Allyson Felix in 2012! So yes, she’s got a knack for ending long droughts. So this year, can she add another epic chapter to her story at the Worlds, like she did in Paris?

Well, Gabby had started off the season strong but has suffered a few blows recently. First at GST Philly where she came second by 0.11s and then twice at the US Champs, where Melissa Jefferson-Wooden beat her in the heats (0.13s) and then again in the finals (0.36s). So, while she still is the favorite, we’ll have to wait and watch!

Watch: Gabby Nearly Mess Up One Of Her Most Crucial Career Races!

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 🏃‍♀️ Beyond The Medals

A Hit And A Miss!

It’s impossible to talk about Paris and not mention these two dramatic relays. So let’s dive into what had happened…

Men's 4x100m relay: Well, with Noah Lyles sidelined due to COVID, Team USA’s relay lineup was reshuffled. Courtney Lindsey was swapped, and Kenny Bednarek was brought in. But the chemistry just didn't fit. Because as soon as the race started, disaster occurred!

Coleman, the leadoff, rushed in too hard, while Bednarek started off way too early. The gap widened until Bednarek abruptly stopped. And in this chaos, the runners bumped into each other. Even the handoff happened outside the permitted zone. Watch Coleman and Bednarek’s botched handoff here! Thus, how Kyree King and Fred Kerley ran later didn’t matter. Because Team USA was disqualified! But while the men’s medal chances got crushed, it’s not like the women’s relay didn't have problems.

Women's 4x100m relay: The women started out smoothly until the third leg exchange happened. That’s where Twanisha Terry and Gabby Thomas barely made their handoff in time and came too close to a disqualification. Then came another tricky exchange between Gabby and Sha’Carri on the anchor leg. While Gabby tried to pass, Sha’Carri had to look back over her shoulder, searching for the baton. But once she had it?

Sha’Carri then pierced through the rain and took her team from fourth place to first like the pro she is! 41.78s read the clock as Team USA took gold ahead of Great Britain and Germany. But now, at the upcoming Worlds, Team USA is the defending champion in both the 4×100m relays. So let’s hope no such disasters repeat!

Watch: Had It Not Been For Sha’Carri, This Team USA Gold Was Gone!

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Last Poll Result: We asked you, “Can Shericka Jackson Return to Her 10.65 Form After Silver Medal at Jamaican Nationals?” And the answer was a tie between Yes and No. Some of you felt that she still has that speed, while others didn’t. Well, stats say that the best she has gone is 10.84s since last season. Now that’s still too far from that 10.65 form, right?

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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