Noah Lyles reinforced his dominance in the 200m by claiming his sixth consecutive Diamond League final victory in Zurich, edging out Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in a dramatic finish. The American clocked 19.74 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the Botswanan, in a thrilling race that served as a statement ahead of next month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Tebogo, who shocked Lyles at the Olympic Games last year, looked set to repeat the upset as he surged ahead early. However, Lyles held his composure and powered through in the closing strides to snatch victory and the $30,000 prize. Reflecting on his win, Lyles emphasized that staying calm was crucial, saying tension at the finish line would have cost him.
The victory was especially significant after Lyles endured recent defeats in the 100m. His Zurich performance not only extended his Diamond League streak but also restored momentum as he prepares for the global stage.
British athletes also impressed on the night. Max Burgin, long hailed as one of the brightest middle-distance talents, pushed Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi to the line. Burgin finished second in 1:42.42, the second-fastest time of his career, just 0.05 seconds behind Wanyonyi. The 23-year-old described the race as a world championships-level test and expressed confidence in replicating such a performance on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, Georgia Hunter Bell delivered a career-best in the women’s 800m, finishing in 1:55.96. She surged from fifth to second in the final 200m, marking the third fastest time in British history. However, she narrowly missed out on victory as Switzerland’s Audrey Werro edged her on the line in 1:55.91, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Away from the track, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe confirmed that over 90% of competitors have now undergone the newly introduced mandatory sex-verification test ahead of the championships. The policy, requiring a cheek-swab to detect the SRY gene on the Y chromosome, has been met with broad athlete support despite logistical challenges in some countries. Testing will continue in holding camps in Japan to ensure all athletes are cleared before competition.
With the Diamond League finale concluded, attention now shifts to Tokyo, where Lyles, Tebogo, and a new wave of emerging stars are set to clash in what promises to be a spectacular World Athletics Championships.
