Noah Lyles, the four-time world 200m champion, has opened up about the shove from Kenny Bednarek during the US Trials for the World Championships, calling the act “assault.” The incident occurred right after Lyles crossed the finish line in the men’s 200m final, securing a world-leading time of 19.63 seconds ahead of Bednarek and Robert Gregory, who clocked 19.67 and 19.80 seconds, respectively.
While the track world was quick to jump to conclusions, Lyles revealed that the issue between him and Bednarek runs much deeper. He shared that the root of their conflict involves his fiancée, Junelle Bromfield, and emphasized that discussing further details would violate their privacy.
Lyles stated, “It’s bigger and deeper than you just know.” He confirmed that the tension between him and Bednarek was not just a race-day altercation, but a personal issue that goes beyond what fans and spectators might assume. While he refrained from divulging more specifics, Lyles made it clear that he wouldn’t address the situation further unless the time was right.
Following the shove, Lyles spoke directly to Bednarek, categorizing the physical interaction as assault. However, he remarked that when someone resorts to such behavior, it signifies that they’ve already lost the battle. Lyles added that Bednarek is the only person in history to have beaten him twice, but each time he did, Lyles still came out as the superior athlete in the long run.
The relationship between the two athletes remains complicated, with Lyles admitting that he’s uncertain whether it constitutes a rivalry. For now, Lyles is choosing to let his athletic performance do the talking, leaving fans to speculate on whether the full story will eventually emerge.
The incident has added an intriguing layer to Lyles’ career, and the speculation around the personal issues involved continues to fuel interest in the ongoing dynamic between the two competitors.
