"I don't think Noah Lyles can play mind games this time"-Kishane Thompson's coach Stephen Francis makes bold claim ahead of Paris Olympics

Modified Jul 31, 2024 16:42 GMT

Noah Lyles is gunning for the 100m gold at the Paris Olympics, and one of his biggest competitors for the top spot on the podium will be Kishane Thompson. Lyles has been outspoken in the media about his intentions for a medal, and his rival's coach recently spoke about how the American’s tactics could affect his competitors at the Games.

Lyles, a specialist in the 200m, put himself in contention for a medal in the shorter distance after his World Championships victory last year. Post that, the 26-year-old is one of the favorites to repeat his feat at the Paris Olympics but Kishane Thompson has also delivered some spectacular performances.

At the Jamaican Olympic Trials, he clocked a time of 9.77s for the win, the fastest time any 100m sprinter has clocked since the 2022 World Championships. Thompson’s compatriot Oblique Seville also added his name to the mix for a medal in the 100m after some impressive runs this season.

Now, as Noah Lyles tries to make his way through a packed field at the Paris Olympics, Thompson’s coach Stephen Francis is breaking down the American's tactics off the track. According to Francis, the reigning 100m and 200m world champion has a tendency to play mind games, but those won't serve him too well this time around.

"I think you will find he (Noah) plays mind games with those he is faster than. I don't think he will have the opportunity this time around, but we will see if his mind games works on people who have demonstrated they are a lot faster than he is,” he told media (via JamaicaObserver).

Noah Lyles on facing the Jamaican challenge at the Paris Olympics

While fans have been speculating what the men's 100m podium at the Paris Olympics will look like, Noah Lyles hasn't been too fazed by the emergence of Kishane Thompson or Oblique Seville.

In a recent interview with AFP, the American backed himself for the win at the Games, saying:

“I beat everyone that I touch. I don’t see why the Jamaicans are any different. This is what I pray for, this is what I live for and I back myself up, don’t I?”

Noah Lyles will kick off his campaign at the Paris Olympics on August 3 with the men's 100m preliminary rounds. A day later, the sprinter will likely compete in the semis and finals of the event.