Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley to face off in 200m showdown at NYC Grand Prix
The two sprinters have never raced each other over 200m
Photo by:
Kevin Morris
The reigning world 100m champion, Fred Kerley, will go head-to-head against the reigning 200m world champion, Noah Lyles, over 200m at next month’s USATF NYC Grand Prix on June 24. The U.S. sprint stars, who both won gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in their respective events, are eager to compete in what promises to be an exciting showdown in The Big Apple.
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) May 12, 2023
At last year’s World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore., Lyles won gold in the 200m and silver in the 4x100m relay. He also has already set the world-leading 200m time this year, clocking 19.65 seconds at the USATF Golden Games on May 9. He will look to maintain his form as he takes on Kerley, who has now won world titles in 100m and 400m.
Kerley, who has run the 200m sparingly in his career, will be making a rare appearance over the distance as he seeks to challenge Lyles. Kerley holds a personal best of 19.76 seconds and Lyles holds the third-fastest 200m time in history (19.31). The two athletes have never raced each other over 200m, adding to the anticipation surrounding their clash in New York City.
Kerley, 28, has not lost a race yet this season. He and Lyles have been active on social media, calling out for other sprinters not to dodge competition. Three weeks before this meet, Kerley will take on the Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs and 100m medallist Andre De Grasse at the Diamond League Rabat on May 28. These three athletes were all on the Olympic 100m podium in Tokyo 2020.
The NYC Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, June 24, at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York City. The meet is part of the World Athletics Contential Tour Gold.
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