Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek Have Words After 200 Meters at 2025 U.S. Outdoor Track Championships

Sprinters Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek have quite a rivalry going in the 200 meters. Both have won medals in the event in the past two Olympics, with Bednarek getting Silver and Lyles the Bronze each time. Lyles is also the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist in the 100 meters. Lyles has won the Gold in the 200 meters three times in the World Championships while Bednarek has a Silver at World’s. Both are highly competitive and among the best sprinters in the world.

The rivalry got a bit physical at the U.S. Outdoor Championships on August 3rd. In the 200 meter finals, Lyles slipped past Bednarek in the last few meters to take the Gold, and stared at Bednarek as he crossed the line. This led to a shove from Bednarek and words were exchanged.

Bednarek did win the Gold in the 100 meters on August 1st, with Lyles opting to sit out the finals in that race to focus on the 200. The two will next have an opportunity to renew their now heated rivalry at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.