'He earned it'- Christian Coleman shares moment of respect with Olympic champion Noah Lyles despite heated rivalry

'He earned it'- Christian Coleman shares moment of respect with Olympic champion Noah Lyles despite heated rivalry

Stephen Awino 12:45 - 14.11.2024

World Indoor Champion Christian Coleman has recently shared a rare moment of respect with fierce rival Olympic champion Noah Lyles in the recent Netflix docuseries SPRINT.

World Indoor Champion Christian Coleman has recently showered rare praise on fierce rival and reigning 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles.

In the high-stakes world of sprinting, rivalries are often fierce and unrelenting and the two athletes embody this spirit.

Their journey together has been marked by an intense back-and-forth on the track, with each athlete seizing their share of wins and defeats.

Yet, despite the competitive edge, there’s a mutual respect that transcends their rivalry, as recently revealed in the new Netflix docuseries, Sprint.

In the series, Coleman, known for his unapologetically competitive drive, takes a moment to reflect on Lyles' recent achievements with surprising remarks.

"He earned it, you know. It was his moment," Coleman said, acknowledging his rival’s remarkable form on the world stage.

This show of admiration stands out given the pair's history, suggesting that while Coleman remains steadfast in his ambitions, he can appreciate his rival’s success.

Lyles has indeed surged ahead in recent years with his recent triumph in the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100m, clocking 9.79 seconds, milliseconds ahead of Jamaica's Kishane Thompson to solidify his place at the top of the sprinting world.

However, Coleman is far from ready to relinquish his place in the competition.

Drawing inspiration from his own career highlights, such as his victory over sprinting legend Usain Bolt at the 2017 World Championships, Coleman remains confident in his potential to reach new heights.

“That was a pretty big moment,” Coleman recalled reflecting on his victory over the world's fastest ever man.

“Coming into the sport and just kind of like getting thrown into the deep end... Now I’m still doing my thing, and I’m part of the new generation of guys."

Reflecting on the fierce competition in the sport, Coleman expressed his approach to handling the intensity.

“There’s some dogs in track and field, and you’ve got to be a savage when you get out there. But I feel like I still got new heights to reach.”

Despite their rivalry, Coleman insists he doesn’t get caught up in the hype surrounding others' performances or personas.

"I’ve been knowing Noah Lyles because we have competed over the years, but honestly, I try not to buy or feed into other people’s antics. It’s just not me; I’m not that type of guy," he shared.

As he concluded, Coleman made it clear that his hunger for success has only intensified, saying, “It’s dog-eat-dog for sure, and I want it more for sure.”