'Keep Your Mind Straight': Noah Lyles Not Bothered By Rain At Diamond League Finals In Zurich

Last Updated:August 27, 2025, 19:19 IST

Lyles is eyeing a record-extending sixth DL crown at the Letzigrund Stadium as he goes up against Botswanan rival Letsile Tebogo in the 200m event.

Noah Lyles. (X)

American sprinter Noah Lyles, played down the possible impact of rain ahead of the final of the 2025 Diamond League scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Zurich, Switzerland.

Lyles is eyeing a record-extending sixth DL crown at the Letzigrund Stadium as he goes up against Botswanan rival Letsile Tebogo in the 200m event.

“I don’t think the rain specifically is a disadvantage or an advantage," the Olympic 100m champion said.

“If you keep your mind straight, you’ll be fine," he added.

Lyles was beaten to the toast by Oblique Seville in the 100m in London and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in Silesia this summer, but looks to put it all behind him at the championship meet of the prestigious DL.

“I had a bad start, I had a bad reaction, that’s really what I chalk up that race to," Lyles said.

“I wouldn’t say the rain was something that hindered it all that much, and that is proved by the fact Oblique ran a great time.

“So you can obviously run fast times in the rain, just getting your mindset prepared, and saying, ‘Hey, this is what we all got to deal with, that’s really what it’s about’."

When reminded that Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt clocked 19.59 seconds—then the fourth fastest time ever run in a tropical downpour over the 200m at the 2009 meet in Lausanne, Lyles’ eyes lit up.

“Well, that sounds good because that’s what me and my coach got in our heads!" the American said.

However, Lyles remained wary of Tebogo, who he termed as adaptable and lauded the Botswanan’s ability to perform across multiple events.

“I would definitely say versatility," Lyles said when asked what he thought Tebogo’s strength was.

“Letsile has a strong versatility in all his events, it’s very impressive.

“There’s not a lot of people who go from the 100m to the 400 or even 100m to the 300.

“From 2007-15 there were a lot more (athletes competing in sprint) doubles, and then they kind of drifted off. Now you can see a resurgence with Letsile being one of those people."

Tebogo also took notice of Lyles’ strengths noting the American’s explosive peak

“His top end is something that’s crazy. I haven’t seen anybody get to that level. For you to catch him and pass, it takes a lot from somebody."

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Switzerland

First Published:

August 27, 2025, 19:19 IST

News sports 'Keep Your Mind Straight': Noah Lyles Not Bothered By Rain At Diamond League Finals In Zurich

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