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Two Olympic sprinters, Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek, had an intense showdown during a 200-meter race followed by some drama.
The two athletes, both two-time Olympians, competed in a memorable race where Lyles emerged victorious at the United States championship in Eugene, Oregon.
Lyles, the gold medalist in the 100-meter and three-time world champion in the 200-meter, made a remarkable comeback to beat Bednarek and the other competitors, finishing in 19.63 seconds, just four-hundredths of a second ahead of Bednarek.
Noah Lyles, left, is pushed by Kenny Bednarek following the Xfinity Men’s 200m final during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on Aug. 3, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
As they neared the finish line, Lyles turned towards Bednarek and stared him down, leading to a physical altercation. After a brief confrontation, Bednarek extended his hand for a handshake, which Lyles accepted.
Following his victory, Lyles may have felt a need to celebrate, especially after his bronze finish in Paris last summer due to battling COVID-19, with Bednarek winning silver.
Despite the handshake, tensions seemed to linger between the two athletes during a joint interview with NBC.
“If there’s an issue, I expect a call,” Bednarek remarked during the interview, hinting at unresolved conflicts.
Bednarek continued to express his displeasure even after the interview, emphasizing a lack of respect from Lyles and hinting at personal issues between them.
Noah Lyles, left, reacts after winning the Xfinity Men’s 200m final in front of Kenny Bednarek during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on Aug. 3, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“What he said doesn’t matter, it’s his actions that count,” Bednarek stated. “I don’t tolerate unsportsmanlike behavior, it’s all about respect. He may have won this time, but next time I will be the victor.”
Bednarek also alluded to an ongoing rivalry between him and Lyles, similar to Lyles’ rivalry with another USA runner, Fredd Kerley.
Noah Lyles is pushed by Kenny Bednarek, left, following the Xfinity Men’s 200m final during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on Aug. 3, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
It’s clear that tensions are high between Lyles and several fellow athletes, including Tyreek Hill. These rivalries add an extra layer of excitement to the world of sprinting.
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