Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 100m and 200m, has once again hinted at the possibility of stepping up to the 400m event, drawing an immediate response from one of his track rivals, Letsile Tebogo.
Lyles has been toying with the idea of running the 400m for over a year. At one point, he had even suggested he might take on the challenge at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but he did not follow through on that plan. However, the thought of competing in the one-lap race appears to be lingering in his mind.
Recently, he took to social media to share an update on his training, revealing that he had completed a 400m workout. “Did a 400m workout yesterday and I’m not gonna lie… I think I need to run a 400 soon,” he posted.
His statement sparked a reaction from Tebogo, who has some experience in the event and quickly chimed in with a message of encouragement—or perhaps even a challenge.
“You can do it. Will be waiting for the feedback,” Tebogo responded.
The response from the Botswanan sprinter, who is known for his prowess in the shorter sprints, could be seen as a friendly push for Lyles to make good on his interest in running the 400m. Tebogo himself has dabbled in the event, although he has not yet competed in it at a major championship.
The 21-year-old began his 2025 season with a 400m race at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, where he finished second behind fellow Botswanan Bayapo Ndori. Tebogo clocked 45.26 seconds in that race, just behind Ndori’s 45.14.
While his primary focus has been on the 100m and 200m, Tebogo has proven his ability over the longer distance. His personal best in the 400m stands at an impressive 44.29 seconds, a time he achieved in Pretoria, South Africa, in March 2024. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Team Botswana’s silver-medal-winning performance in the 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
If Lyles does follow through on his desire to race the 400m, it could set up an intriguing showdown between the two sprint stars. Lyles has long dominated the 200m, but the 400m presents a different kind of challenge, requiring a blend of speed and endurance that not every sprinter can master.
Should he make the move, he would be following in the footsteps of some of the greats who have transitioned successfully between the shorter sprints and the 400m, such as Michael Johnson and Wayde van Niekerk. Whether Lyles is serious about testing himself over the longer distance remains to be seen, but with Tebogo and others waiting in the wings, the stage could be set for a thrilling new rivalry in the world of track and field.
