'I wouldn't say we are friends' — Olympic champion Noah Lyles opens up on heated rivalry with Christian Coleman

Olympic champion has opened up about his relationship with fierce sprinting rival, revealing a complex dynamic between the two competitors in the recent Netflix docuseries

The reigning 100m champion spoke candidly about his relationship with Christian Coleman, his sprinting counterpart, explaining that they have a mutual respect but little friendship

«I came more to his playground than he came into mine. His main event was the 100m, and mine was the 200m,» Lyles said, underscoring their different specialties within track

The two sprinters have crossed paths frequently in recent seasons, but, as Lyles clarified, «I wouldn’t say we are friends.»

Many associate Noah Lyles with bold confidence, yet behind his Olympic success lies a story of resilience and quiet humility, shaped by struggles that reveal the heart of a true champion.

This rivalry between Lyles and Coleman has become one of the most exciting storylines in track and field over the past year

Their head-to-head battles in the shorter 60m indoor races have been especially thrilling, with each trading wins and losses

The two faced off at marquee events like the USATF Indoor Championships and the World Indoor Championships, both showcasing their world-class talent and fueling their rivalry.

However, Lyles’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics has shifted the dynamic.

Lyles clocked an impressive 9.79 seconds in the 100m final, securing the title of the world’s fastest man.

Coleman had to watch from home as one of his fiercest rival got his crowning moment in an event that he missed out on altogether.

This achievement not only marked a career-defining moment for Lyles but also established him as the man to beat heading into the 2025 season.

American YouTube sensation IShowSpeed has claimed that reigning 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles is afraid to race him again after their 50m showdown on Wednesday.

With Lyles’s recent success and Coleman’s absence from the Olympic stage, the coming season may mark a new chapter in their rivalry with fans eager to see whether Coleman will reclaim his place among sprinting’s elite or if Lyles will continue his reign unchallenged.

For now, Lyles holds the upper hand, and the tension between the two sprinting titans shows no sign of slowing down.