Why Kishane Thompson’s decision to take part in the World Indoor Championships could be bad news for his competitors, especially Noah Lyles.
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson has firmly established himself as one of the fastest men in the world, and his latest move is only adding fuel to the fire.
The Olympic 100m silver medalist is now reportedly set to compete in the 60m dash at the World Indoor Championships, a decision that significantly alters the competitive landscape of the event.
Thompson’s presence at the World Indoors is monumental because, as of now, no other finalist from the Olympic 100m is slated to compete, with Noah Lyles already making it clear he will not be taking part.
Kishane Thompson’s 2024 season has already been a spectacle, from running a world-leading 9.77 seconds in the 100m.
Three athletes have risen to the challenge, breaking Usain Bolt’s records and signaling a new era of speed in track and field.
In 2025, he set the track ablaze with an outdoor 60m dash clocking 6.48 seconds—into a brutal -2.1m/s headwind at a local meet in Jamaica.
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That performance alone sent shockwaves through the sprinting world, not just for the time itself but for the sheer dominance it displayed.
His recent indoor outing in Kazakhstan, where he clocked 6.56 seconds, may not have been as electrifying, but it was a clear indicator that he is sharpening his form.
Now, with his official entry into the World Indoors, all eyes will be on whether he can translate his raw speed into a gold medal performance.
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Usain Bolt and partner Kasi Bennett have been together for over a decade.
Jamaica’s history in the 60m dash
While the 60m dash isn’t traditionally a focal point for Jamaican sprinters, the nation has produced champions in the event.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Veronica Campbell-Brown have both claimed gold in the women’s category before, while Akeem Blake secured a bronze in 2023 behind Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman.
Even Asafa Powell made an impact, earning silver behind Trayvon Bromell in 2016.
With Thompson now stepping into the arena, expectations are soaring. If he delivers on his potential, he could bring another world indoor title to Jamaica while setting up an even bigger showdown against Lyles in the outdoor season.
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At the time of writing, the U.S. is expected to send powerhouse sprinters like Trayvon Bromell and Ronnie Baker, both of whom have World Indoor medals to their name.
However, neither competed in the 2024 Olympics, meaning Kishane Thompson will enter as the most recent and relevant force in the field.
His Olympic silver medal carries weight, and his world-leading times from the past season only amplify his status as the favorite.
The greater significance of Thompson’s World Indoor campaign extends beyond this one race.
With the outdoor season and the World Championships on the horizon, a dominant performance in the 60m could add further anticipation to a potential clash with Noah Lyles, who has become one of track and field’s most marketable stars.
Why Kishane Thompson’s participation at World Indoors matters
There are always debates about whether running the 60m benefits or hinders a sprinter’s outdoor season, but recent history suggests it can be a vital stepping stone.
Both Noah Lyles and Julien Alfred excelled indoors in 2024 before transitioning seamlessly to dominant outdoor campaigns. Thompson’s decision to embrace the shorter sprint could provide a similar boost to his 100m ambitions.
Beyond just technical benefits, the 60m dash serves another crucial purpose: giving the people what they want.
Track and field thrives on marquee matchups, and fans want to see stars like Thompson compete as much as possible. His outdoor 60m spectacle proved that—despite being an unconventional event, it captivated audiences and broke the internet.
Now, with Thompson officially in the World Indoor Championships, the event has taken on a new level of excitement.
He isn’t just another competitor—he’s the man to beat. And if he delivers, the sprinting world will be buzzing even louder heading into the outdoor season. The story of Kishane Thompson is just getting started, and this next chapter promises to be a thrilling one.
