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Noah Lyles Defends Tyreek Hill Amidst Track Controversy
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👋 Hey, Speedsters!
Steel yourself, as the track and field world has woken up to some major jolts this week. If you caught up on the updates from our last newsletter release, you must be filled in on—why Noah Lyles decided to sit out early this season and how the Diamond League was put through the wringer right at the cusp of its season finale.
Today, we begin by exploring—has Noah Lyles had a change of heart? Well, we’ll dive into his empathetic response to the Tyreek Hill controversy, and then stop to dip our toes in the— Sha'Carri Richardson vs Julien Alfred 100m debate, as the Brussels showdown is barely an arm's length away. And not to forget, a final salute to the Central High track coach who left for his heavenly abode, recently.
📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Don’t dream of winning. Train for it”
— Mo Farah
In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from the Track & Field universe:
🗣️ Noah Lyles Shares His 2 Cents on Tyreek Controversy
🏥 Fateful End of Olympic Athlete’s Killer
👟 Final Battle: Sha'Carri Richardson vs Julien Alfred
🫡 Remembering Central High's Late Iconic Track Coach
Noah Lyles Defends Tyreek Hill Amidst Track Controversy
Noah Lyles went from not remembering his name or having time for his clout-chasing to voicing a pro-Tyreek Hill stance real quick! To clear the air, the Miami Dolphins receiver recently got grappled in a fiery situation. Pulled over for overspeeding in the USA, he landed in hot water with a few American cops. And as the viral bodycam video surfaced, it showed how things escalated in a jiffy—from Hill being pulled out of his wheels, to getting roughly tackled while being handcuffed and pinned to the floor.
You think Noah Lyles would hold back his opinion on such a treatment with an American sports star? Well, absolutely not. Keeping the so-called 'beef' aside, Lyles responded with a strong one-word reaction. 'Disgusting,' he wrote on X while further voicing a strong argument. "Tyreek said something very important In his post game interview. What if it wasn't him. This is what they do to us when they feel they might get in trouble. What do you think they do to us when they know they won't get in trouble," he wrote.
While Lyles took a stand for Tyreek Hill, his words echoed an alarm for all people of color. If an athlete who is a Super Bowl winner and plays for a mega-banner gets treated this way, what about the rest? Well, things could have been worse for them. Also, remember when Lyles previously unveiled the downside of being a black athlete in America? Well, this incident probably harks him back to his own battles against racial discrimination.
📊 POLL OF THE DAY
Which World Record Would You Love to See Shattered Next Year? |
Last Poll’s Result: A whopping 41% of you crowned Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone vs. Femke Bol as the ultimate track and field rivalry! 🏅 But hold on—Usain Bolt vs. Justin Gatlin came oh-so-close, just a few votes behind. 🔥 The competition was fierce, and the results are as thrilling as a photo finish!
Olympian's Tragic Death: Latest Development
As track fans, this news bit might send a shudder down your spine. Days after competing at the Paris Olympics, Uganda's 33-year-old marathon runner—Rebecca Cheptegei died a painful and agonizing death. She spent a few critical moments in the hospital, fighting for her life after her neighbors brought her in. Alas! It was too late, for she eventually succumbed to the brutal attack that left 75 percent of her body burnt.
But who inflicted this torture on her? Well, the perpetrator behind this heinous crime was her former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema. Apparently, an argument between the two kicked off as the man followed her to her house from the church on Sunday and set her ablaze after pouring a 5-liter jerrycan of petrol on her. All this for apparently a piece of land she purchased in Western Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, one that triggered an argument between the two.
But, he was not spared from paying the piper for his actions. In the tussle, Ndiema himself sustained severe burns, covering 40 percent of his body. While the community mourned for Rebecca, he was still undergoing treatment at the Moi Referral Hospital, where he breathed his last on Tuesday. The official statement reads, "he developed respiratory failures as a result of severe airway burns and sepsis that led to his eventual death on Monday evening at 18:30 hours despite life-saving measures."
The cycle of life or sheer karma? Rebecca's father Joseph Cheptegei believes, "We consider his case as justice delivered."
Justin Gatlin Drops Alarming Request For Usain Bolt Comparisons
Alright, sprint fans, buckle up because we've got a fiery topic heating up the track! 🏃♂️🔥 Recently, there's been a wave of comparisons between new up-and-coming sprinters and none other than the fastest man in history, Usain Bolt. But one man who’s not having it? Justin Gatlin! 🗣️ In this video, the former Olympic champ and Bolt's fierce rival breaks down why these comparisons need to hit the brakes—immediately. Is it fair to compare anyone to the 8-time gold medalist? Gatlin’s take might surprise you! 👀
Sha'Carri Richardson vs Julien Alfred Final
Mark your calendars for this Friday, or you may miss the climactic season finale between Sha'Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred. Yes! As the Brussels Diamond League featuring 82 Olympic medalists kicks off, the 100m sprint is set to be the ultimate decider of the—who's better than whom debate. The Olympic champion or the World Champion? Well, the question is a real head-scratcher, even for track and field diehards. As for the figures, they indicate it might cut close.
Currently, both the American and the Saint Lucian are tied at 2-2 this season. After Richardson returned victorious from the Zurich chapter last week in 10.84s, Alfred resented her 0.04s slowdown (watch here). But, it was barely enough to dull her momentum from the Paris wins.
And here’s a fun twist—These track legends have earned their own days of celebration! Sha'Carri Richardson’s day is November 10 in Dallas, her hometown, where a track was named in her honor following her incredible 2023 World Championship victory. Julien Alfred isn’t far behind, with her own day set for September 27, effective this year, to recognize her stellar achievements. As we count down to this epic finale, ponder who will snag that crucial 3-2 lead for 2025—or will a dark horse burst onto the scene and rewrite the story?
Legendary Central High Track Coach Dies At 79
On September 5, the athletic community lost a veteran whose passing left behind a definite void. Fred Rosenfeld, the track and field coach at Overbrook and Central High yielded to the complications of Parkinson's disease at 79 and took his final breath at the Holy Redeemer Hospice on Thursday. While the world continues to mourn his loss, one thing is certain. Fondly remembered as one of the legendary coaches in the history books of the Philadelphia Public League with a 35-year-long run, Fred Rosenfeld's lasting legacy will live on in the minds of his trainees.
To his students, Fred Rosenfeld was much more than just a coach. "He played uncle to some of us, he played dad to some of us, he was coach to all of us," remarked Jon Drummond, a 2x Olympic medalist whom Rosenfeld inspired to join track in 1984. Initially a physical education teacher, Coach Rosenfeld’s true passion vested in coaching, which was never a job to him. Imagine making copious notes of each match, with minuscule details like the weather noted on the top. No wonder Brooks Johnson, the Olympic track and field coach named him, 'Fast Freddy,' and all-time greats like Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Gail Devers knew him even before they first met him.
Propelling his track and cross-country teams to win 51 World Championships, Coach Rosenfeld's humble words as he retired were, "I've just always hoped that the kids have gotten something nice out of it." Well, he left an indelible impact on track and field, as someone who volunteered with Students Run Philly Style and Penn Running Club even after retirement. Rest in peace, legend!
📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Fans Riot Over Diamond League’s ‘Sad’ Decision Amidst Track and Field Controversy - Full Story
Hunter Woodhall Reveals How Grief Fueled His Paralympics Success - Full Story
Olympics Champion Grant Holloway Forced Out of Brussels Diamond League - Full Story
Visa Issues Haunting Athletes’ Futures Fumes Track and Field Community - Full Story
Hunter Woodhall Explained Wife’s Biggest Impact - Full Story
That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox on Saturday with more interesting stories!
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