Is Lyles in form?
Were those comments a shot at Lyles?
After all, Lyles being referred to as the “world’s fastest man” was based on him winning Olympic gold, admittedly the biggest crown in the 100m.
But his 9.79 Paris time was still slower than last year’s world lead (9.77, also belonging to Thompson).
“As athletes, our biggest competitors are ourselves and injuries,” Thompson added in Budapest before his 9.95-second win.
Lyles can attest to that, having started his own season late. He’s raced in just two 100m races this year, at the London Diamond League — he came second in 10.00 seconds to Oblique Seville — and the heats of the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships.
While it’s an eagerly awaited rematch, is Lyles in the required form?
The U.S. sprint star may be playing the long game, with the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September still ahead to wrap up the season.
And the story might not be just Thompson versus Lyles.
With Kenny Bednarek — with whom Lyles has also had recent disagreements —, Akani Simbine, Christian Coleman, Courtney Lindsey and Trayvon Bromell all also in the field, the Paris rematch might not take the headlines by the end of the race.