Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo made a comment about his American rival, Noah Lyles, after winning the men’s 200-meter final. Tebogo, who was competing in his first Olympics, surprised everyone by winning gold in the 200m final after not medaling in the 100m final earlier in the week. On the other hand, Lyles, who won gold in the 100m final, had to settle for bronze in the 200m after contracting COVID-19.
After the race, Tebogo sat down with silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek to talk about his victory. When asked about his aspirations in the sport and whether he wanted to become the face of men’s track, Tebogo admitted that Lyles is better suited for that role. However, he subtly mentioned that he is not as arrogant or loud as Lyles, hinting at the American runner’s personality.
Lyles has faced criticism in the past for his comments about other athletes, including NBA players, whom he suggested did not have the right to call themselves world champions. Despite winning three gold medals in last year’s world championships, Lyles received backlash for his remarks about the NBA Finals.
Lyles, who was hoping to become the first American to win the 100m and 200m since 1984, expressed disappointment at not achieving that goal. He also mentioned that he may not participate in the 4x100m relay. Despite the setbacks, Lyles remained positive and thanked everyone for their support during the Olympics.
Overall, Tebogo’s comments about Lyles and his own humble attitude towards becoming the face of men’s track shed light on the different personalities in the sport. While Lyles is known for his confidence and bold statements, Tebogo’s quiet demeanor and focus on his performance speak to his dedication to the sport.
