US Olympian Announces Medical Update

^{July 23, 2025 | Edition #159}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

The 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships are closing in, and we have the first list of entries out! Head over to story 2 and know who's racing for that World spot. But before, story 1 features an athlete who had to withdraw. Her reason? Heartbreaking! Also, a coach has supported Letsile Tebogo over Lyles, and you’ll see why. So let’s get started!

🌟 Track Stories

Valby’s Early Withdrawal!

The U.S. Championships will kick off on July 31, just 9 days away, and one athlete has already voluntarily pulled out…Distance athlete, Parker Valby, a 6-time NCAA champion, is still battling a foot injury and won’t be able to compete. And yeah, it stings!

Parker revealed, "Did everything in my power to get back to race USA's, but unfortunately, my foot isn't 100% healed yet." It’s a tough blow, because the U.S. Champs serve as the main qualifier for the Worlds. And by deciding to skip the race, Valby’s shot at Worlds just dropped to near zero. But…

The Diamond League winner could earn a wildcard, but is Valby claiming that spot? A serious long shot. The problem is that the DL rarely features long-distance races. And even then, she might not be fully fit....Valby was one of just five U.S. women in the World Rankings quota. With her gone, only Kelati, Schweizer, McClain, and Roe still hold spots heading into the U.S. Champs. Still, Valby leaves a big gap on the start list!

Let’s not forget, Valby holds the NCAA 5000m record. Watch the moment she shattered the 5000m record and claimed her sixth NCAA crown! Valby made her pro debut this season at the New Balance Indoor GP, taking 3rd in the 3000m short track. Even last year, she finished 11th in the 10,000m at the Paris Olympics with a time of 30:59.28. And the Worlds could’ve been her big moment to make a global mark. Guess, she'll have to wait!

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📈 Trending News

Who All Are In?

We’ve got the first look at the 2025 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships entry list, and it’s already loaded. Yes, some big names like Ryan Crouser and Quincy Hall aren’t on it yet, but the final list isn’t out. So don’t rule out last-minute entries at Track Town! However, the current field is already wild…

After all, Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, and Christian Coleman are all doubling in the 100m and 200m. They have already secured 19 World medals, but they’re not done yet! And don’t forget T'Mars McCallum, who stole the 200m world lead from Tebogo with a 19.73 and is out to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Erriyon Knighton, the reigning World silver medalist in the 200m, is in too. Yes, this field looks a lot like the 2022 USA Champs. Need a reminder who owned it back then? Watch Below!

Over to the women’s side, the 100m world champion Sha’Carri Richardson has entered in both sprint events. Also entered in both sprints: 200m Olympic champ Gabby Thomas, world 100m leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, JaMeesia Ford, and McKenzie Long. Yes, the same Long who held off Sha’Carri at the 2024 Trials. This is going to be electric!

Now coming over to the shockers. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is skipping the hurdles and going all in on the 400 flat. The 400m hurdles is her main event, and she doesn't even have a bye. Thus, her absence is odd. Although she made the exact same choice even before the 2023 Worlds. But one good thing, her 400m form is fire. She’s clocked 49.43 this year—No. 5 in the world, No. 3 in the U.S. The women’s 800m brought another surprise, as Nia Akins and Natalie Dumas are in, but Athing Mu is still missing in action!

In the men’s distance races, expect some Paris-level drama. The reigning Olympic 1500m champ Cole Hocker has entered, along with bronze medalist Yared Nuguse, who is also the second fastest American this year. Paris finalist Hobbs Kessler and NCAA record-holder Liam Murphy are also in, making it a stacked field. And Hocker, along with Gary Martin, is doubling in the 5000m! Where he will face Grant Fisher and U.S. outdoor record-holder Nico Young.

Thus, big names are showing up! And to watch it all, tune into USATF.TV or watch the US Outdoor Champs live stream on NBC and Peacock, on August 2nd and 3rd between 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM.

Watch: Sha’Carri vs Gabby: Who Had Won at the 2023 US Champs?

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🎖️ Beyond The Medals

Tebogo Favored Over Lyles!

Back in 2023 at Budapest, Noah Lyles had a clean sweep, edging out Letsile Tebogo twice and conquering the world. Fast forward to Paris, Lyles took the 100m, but Tebogo struck back in the 200m. Now, with the 2025 Worlds approaching, who has the edge? Well, coach Nicolas Keita Manyepedza from Botswana believes, "Letsile is still the man to beat.” And he might be right!

Tebogo’s season hasn’t been perfect, but he has dominated the 200m. Until Monaco, he hadn’t lost a single 200m race. Also, Tebogo may have lost to Lyles in Monaco, with just 0.09s, but he had the faster reaction time. Watch the nerve-racking race here! In fact, in all four Paris and Budapest races, Tebogo reacted faster than Lyles! This means he only needs better top-end speed. Thus, Coach Manyepedza said: “He’s working on perfecting both his start and finish and trying to combine them in future races.”

Also while Lyles has kept his season selective, Tebogo has been experimental: six 100m, four 200m, four 400m. He has also come back from injury, with absolutely no sign of burnout! The coach even declared, “Letsile is the best 200m runner in the world right now and he will dominate for years to come.” And it’s not just talk, the numbers back it up!

Lyles still leads their 200m rivalry 3–2, and owns a 7–0 record in the 100m. But Tebogo is younger, sharper, and catching up fast. Just look at the Prefontaine Classic, where Tebogo secured a world-leading 19.76s in the 200m. So when Coach says: “He can definitely beat Lyles….he’s better in the 200m,” we’re not surprised. In Paris, he proved it. And in Tokyo? He might just do it again

Watch: Lyles And Tebogo’s First Ever 100m Faceoff!

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Last Poll Result: We asked you, “Who’s Had the Most Impressive Win This Season So Far?” Well, we have a clear winner! About 55% of you said, “Seville Over Lyles.” And honestly, we can’t agree more! After all, Oblique Seville not just won but smoked the entire lineup with his sub-9 performance at London DL.

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

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