Justin Gatlin, the sprint legend, recently shared insights into the strategy that Noah Lyles is implementing in his 60-meter races, a move he believes could give Lyles a significant advantage over his Jamaican rival, Kishane Thompson, as they head into the 100-meter events this season. Gatlin’s analysis sheds light on Lyles’ tactical adjustments, which he sees as crucial for Lyles’ quest to cement his legacy as a dominant force in sprinting.
Both Lyles and Thompson have kicked off their 2025 seasons with impressive performances, but their starts have sparked contrasting reactions from fans and experts alike. Thompson began his campaign with a strong 6.48-second finish at the Central Hurdles Relays and Field Events, despite a -2.0 headwind, showing that he’s in excellent shape early in the season. He continued his solid form at the Astana Indoor Meet, where he clocked 6.56 seconds in the heats before securing the final win with a time of 6.58 seconds.
In contrast, while Lyles’ 60-meter time was faster than Thompson’s, some fans expressed concerns about his early season performance, suggesting that he needs to make adjustments ahead of upcoming meets. However, Gatlin isn’t worried, pointing out that Lyles is focusing on refining his starts, a key aspect that could benefit him in the long run. Gatlin discussed this on his “Ready Set Go” podcast, explaining that Lyles’ emphasis on mastering his start is part of a strategy that will pay off in his pursuit to become a top-tier 100-meter runner.
The importance of a solid start in the 100 meters cannot be overstated, as Gatlin noted. “It’s a gamble for him if he has a bad start,” Gatlin said, highlighting that Lyles’ strong closing speed, a trait that helped him win 100m gold at the Paris Olympics, may not always be enough to overcome a poor start. With the 100-meter race often decided in the first 20 meters, Gatlin believes Lyles must perfect his start to avoid putting himself at a disadvantage. Lyles has already demonstrated his ability to close races with devastating speed, as seen in his Olympic victory, but he’s now focused on ensuring he’s not forced to rely on that alone.
Lyles’ current strategy involves mastering the first 20 meters of the race. Gatlin explained that this is where Lyles needs to dominate in order to separate himself from the competition. By refining his acceleration phase, Lyles can ensure he’s ahead of the pack early and maintain control throughout the race. The American sprinter’s impressive ability to control his 60-meter race from the 20-meter mark was noted by Rodney Greene, Gatlin’s co-host, who pointed out how Lyles looked in full control from the midway point, while Thompson had to battle back after a slow start. Greene observed that despite Thompson’s slower start, he still managed to clock a solid 6.58 seconds, signaling that he may be capable of running in the 6.4 range with improved starts.
Gatlin also mentioned that, despite speculation about Lyles potentially skipping the World Indoor Championships, he is convinced that Lyles is focused on securing medals and enhancing his legacy. According to Gatlin, Lyles is “on a different path” than many other sprinters, committed to making sure every race he enters results in a victory. “It’s either all or nothing,” Gatlin stated, emphasizing Lyles’ intense drive and determination.
Looking ahead, Lyles and Thompson’s rivalry promises to intensify, especially if the two meet at the World Indoor Championships. With both sprinters working to fine-tune critical aspects of their racing techniques, their performances this season will likely continue to draw attention. If Lyles can perfect his starts as Gatlin predicts, he could emerge with an edge over Thompson when it matters most, adding another layer of excitement to their already fierce rivalry.
