The 2004 Olympic champion is not worried about Noah Lyles’ slow start to the season as compared to Kishane Thompson who began on a high note.
Sprinting giants Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson have both opened their 2025 seasons, with the latter posting a faster time in the 60m.
Kishane Thompson started his season at the Central Hurdles Relays and Field Events, clocking 6.48 seconds to cross the finish line first.
He then proceeded to his first indoor race of the season, clocking a stunning 6.56 seconds in the heats of the 60m race at the Astana Indoor Meet for Amin Tuyakov Prizes, before proceeding to claim top honours in the final, clocking 6.58 seconds.
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Their performances have sparked a lot of reaction, with fans noting that Noah Lyles has started his season badly and he should check a few things before Sunday’s New Balance Indoor Grand Prix where he faces a strong field.
However, American sprint legend Justin Gatlin remains unbothered about the time Noah Lyles has posted, revealing that he is just starting his season and the 60m is not necessarily that essential for him.
The 2004 Olympic 100m champion revealed that the 60m is for him to work on his race tactics as he prepares to defend his world title later this year in Tokyo, Japan.
Gatlin analysed the race, revealing that from the look of things, he has greatly improved when it comes to taking charge in the early stages of the race and maintaining the same energy until he crosses the finish line.
“I’m not too concerned about Noah indoors because even last year I think he opened it even slower than he did this season. One thing you do see from Noah is the fact that he’s still working on his race pattern,” Gatlin said on his Ready Set Go podcast.
“At the 20m mark, it’s the Noah show but if you go back and look at his older races from the past, he didn’t become the Noah show until about halfway through the 60m.
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“I mean, then he’s able to use his top-end speed and take control of the race. I think he’s using the 60m to be able to work on getting into the race quicker and commanding the race early.”
Meanwhile, at last year’s Paris Olympic Games, Noah Lyles had a poor start from the blocks but gained momentum afterwards, having to strain before claiming the narrow win.
Once he works on improving his block starts, Gatlin believes he will be unbeatable in the 100m, insisting that this season, there is no time to waste.
