Olympic gold medalist sprinter Noah Lyles has made the tough decision to end his season due to an injury, ruling him out of contention for the $150,000 USD top prize at the upcoming Ultimate Championship track event. Lyles, who suffered a left hamstring injury during the 200 meters final at the U.S. nationals in July, revealed on social media that he had a “minor strain” following the race, leading to complications that hindered his training.
Despite being a prominent figure in track and field, Lyles was notably absent from the entry list released by World Athletics for the inaugural Ultimate Championship set to kick off in Budapest this Friday. The 29-year-old, known for his success in the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics and as a four-time world champion in the 200 meters, was expected to be a key competitor at the event, which will bring together elite athletes to vie for a share of the $10 million prize pool.
While Lyles will not be competing, he confirmed that he will still be present in Budapest, taking on a role as an emcee and providing creative input. Expressing his enthusiasm for the competition, Lyles acknowledged the high-caliber athletes set to participate and stated his eagerness to witness the fierce contests unfold.
At the national championships, Lyles posted a stellar time of 9.79 seconds in the 100 meters, leading the field. Following him closely is Oblique Seville of Jamaica, the Olympic champion, who clocked 9.82 seconds at his country’s championships.
In Lyles’ absence, the focus now shifts to other sprinters like American Kenny Bednarek and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana in the 200 meters event. Bednarek, who clinched gold in Paris, will face tough competition as Lyles disclosed that he had contracted COVID-19 on the night of that race, finishing third.
The women’s sprint events are set to feature an exciting lineup with Sha’Carri Richardson returning to the track where she claimed victory in 2023, contending against reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the 200 meters, alongside Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas.
For those eager to catch the action, live coverage of the Ultimate Championship will be available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, with the complete streaming schedule accessible through the provided link.