Noah Lyles Wins US 200m Final, Rival Kenny Bednarek Shoves Amid Tensions

At the 2025 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, a heated rivalry between sprinters Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek escalated during the men's 200-meter final. Lyles won the race with a time of 19.63 seconds, edging out Bednarek who finished in 19.67, but not before Lyles taunted Bednarek near the finish line by turning to stare him down. In response, Bednarek shoved Lyles about 15 meters past the finish line, leading to a tense exchange of words on the track and during a post-race NBC interview. Bednarek criticized Lyles' behavior as unsportsmanlike and lacking respect, while Lyles declined to comment on the incident, citing coach's orders. This rivalry is intensified by their history, with Bednarek having beaten Lyles in prior Olympic 200m finals and Lyles holding multiple world titles. Both athletes qualified for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with the incident highlighting ongoing tensions in American sprinting circles.