Rival Sprint Stars Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles Clear Air After Heated 200-Meter Race Incident, Set for World Championships Showdown

U.S. sprinter Kenny Bednarek has resolved any tension with Noah Lyles following their contentious 200-meter race at the USA Track and Field Championships, the athlete told CNN Sports in an interview.

In a heated conclusion to Sunday’s event, Lyles edged past Bednarek, casting a glance towards his rival as he crossed the finish line first. Bednarek, apparently irritated by the sideways glance, responded by pushing Lyles from behind.

The two athletes subsequently exchanged words before shaking hands, but Bednarek later told reporters that he believed Lyles’ behavior was “unsportsmanlike” and disrespectful. However, Bednarek has now clarified that there is no bad blood between them.

“Noah Lyles looked me straight in the eye,” Bednarek told CNN Sports. “I felt a push was warranted in response, but we both could have handled the situation differently with more respect. Emotions were high, and we decided to discuss the incident afterward.”

The pair agreed during their hour-long conversation that the altercation was unintentional and has been resolved, according to Bednarek. As a result, they are now looking forward to competing against each other in upcoming events, including the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month.

Lyles, the defending world and Olympic champion over 100m, finished ahead of Bednarek in Sunday’s race but was pushed to his limits by the two-time Olympic silver medalist, who ran a personal best of 9.79 seconds in the 100m to claim his first national title in that event.

Their rivalry has generated excitement among track and field fans, as both athletes aim to secure victories in the 100m and 200m events at the World Championships in Tokyo. The pair are scheduled to compete against each other in the 100m at the Diamond League meet in Silesia, Poland next week.

Bednarek, who has earned the nickname “Kung Fu Kenny,” is yet to win a major world or Olympic title but could see that opportunity materialize this year. The sprinter has won all six of his races across three Grand Slam Track meets between April and June and was named Racer of the Year in the inaugural season of Michael Johnson’s league.

With improved mental focus and physical prowess, Bednarek believes he is well-positioned to make a strong showing at the World Championships in Tokyo. A gold medal on the global stage could be within his reach this year.