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Noah Lyles has rubbished talk of 'mind-games' with Kishane Thompson involving Junelle Bromfield amid US-Jamaican sprint rivalry at the Paris Olympic games
Reigning 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles has refuted allegations of using psychological tactics against his Jamaican rival Kishane Thompson during the highly anticipated showdown at the Paris Olympics last year.
The race, which captivated audiences worldwide, saw both Lyles and Thompson clock an identical 9.79 seconds, with Lyles edging out Thompson by milliseconds to claim gold.
Thompson settled for silver, while fellow American Fred Kerley completed the podium with a 9.81-second run.
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15:43 - 18.11.2024
'I won’t be intimidated'- Kishane Thompson welcomes Noah Lyles' pre-race stunts & trash talks
Kishane Thompson is embracing rival Noah Lyles' pre-race antics as motivation, vowing to refine his strategy and confidence for future dominance despite narrowly missing gold in Paris.
Before the race, Thompson had exuded confidence, stating that he was prepared to take on Lyles and dismiss his “stunts.” Many interpreted Lyles’ vibrant and energetic demeanor as attempts to unsettle his opponents, fueling rumors of mind games.
The rivalry between the two sprinters was further heightened by the passionate fanbases of Jamaica and the United States.
Fans scrutinized every interaction, including how the athletes behaved at the practice track. Notably, observers pointed out Thompson’s warm embrace of his Jamaican girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, while seemingly ignoring Lyles, sparking a wave of speculation.
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14:45 - 13.10.2024
How Kishane Thompson's yelling during entrance at Paris Olympics 100m final sparked Noah Lyles' winning spirit
Noah Lyles has now explained how Kishane Thompson's yelling encouraged him to make such a wild entrance before the final of the 100 meter dash at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Speaking on the Beyond the Records podcast with Rai Benjamin, Hunter Woodhall, and Tara Davis-Woodhall, Lyles addressed the rumors.
"Jamaica and the US were so at odds. Kishane was their champion. People were like, ‘Kishane is gonna play head games with Noah...he just hugged Junelle but not Noah!’”
Lyles recounted. “I was like, ‘Guys, I have not started playing mind games. You will know when I start. I will start pouring at you before I cross the line. I will start whispering in your ears.’”
Lyles also explained his trademark pre-race antics, which include jumping up and down to energize himself—a habit that earned him a fine for “disrupting other athletes’ peace.” He clarified that his actions were not aimed at intimidating competitors but rather an expression of his personality as an entertainer.
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12:30 - 01.01.2025
Justin Gatlin eighth, Noah Lyles sixth, Usain Bolt first: How a hypothetical dash between the eight fastest men in history would go
How hypothetical race pitting the eigth fastest men in the history of major championship races -namely Marcell Jacobs, Noah Lyles, Justin Gatlin, Usain Bolt, Kishane Thompson, Christian Coleman, Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake would go.
"My identity as the showman and the guy who always has something on people...the stigma is so strong, anything I do will be perceived as mind games," he explained. "To be honest, when I am doing all this stuff, it was never for them. It is for me."
Lyles highlighted his unique position as both an athlete and an entertainer.
"I enjoy being a showman and entertainer. Who else can say, ‘I’ve performed in front of 50,000 people, 80,000 people?’ Millions on TV. You think those people came to see nothing? They didn’t come to see, ‘Hi, I’m normal!’"
While speculation and rivalry added intrigue to the race, Lyles’ unapologetic charisma and competitive edge underscore his unique appeal in the track and field world. Both he and Thompson have undoubtedly cemented their places as sprinting icons, delivering thrilling moments on and off the track.
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