“Yall gotta stop this 4x4 talk” - Rai Benjamin weighs in on the Noah Lyles vs Quincy Hall relay team controversy ahead of the Paris Olympics

By Riddhi Acharya

Modified Jul 20, 2024 02:18 GMT

Rai Benjamin has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding Noah Lyles and Quincy Hall. The drama began when the 27-year-old left Hall off of a 4x400m team he picked to compete at the Paris Olympics.

Lyles, the reigning World Champion in the 100 and 200m, has been outspoken about his wish to run the 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics in a bid to claim four gold medals. Most recently, the American named the team's he would choose to run the event, placing Chris Bailey in the lead-off leg, himself and Michael Norman in the second and third legs, and Rai Benjamin as the anchor.

Lyles chose to leave out Hall, the current U.S 400m champion and world lead holder, off the team, saying,

“The only reason I wouldn’t use the current U.S. champion is because I don’t think he would be a starter. I feel like using him on the first leg would just be almost like a waste to his talent. I just don’t see him getting his full capability out of the first leg.”

Hall was quick to hit back at his 26-year-old compatriot, writing in a now deleted post on his social media,

“I don’t bother nobody but my blocks ready anytime you feel like you can beat me in the 400 you was talking (too) much on my name on (your) little podcast. I don’t do the little slick comments and remarks I line up.”

Now, Rai Benjamin has joined the conversation to give his two cents about the whole debacle, asking fans to let athletes stay focused and not distract them with unnecessary discussions so close to the Games. Taking to his X, he wrote,

“Yall gotta stop this 4x4 talk. And you “blogs” have to be better. Noah is an outspoken individual. We know that, y'all know that. He voiced an OPINION. It isn’t FACT. And subconsciously and consciously a lot of you are using him for clicks. We’re a few days away from competing.”

“Let the athletes focus on the job they are TASKED with ahead and stop sowing deceit and resentment in OUR camp ahead of the games. We’re a great team with PHENOMENAL talent and athletes. Let us just do us please 🙏🏾.

Rai Benjamin beats Karsten Warholm in thrilling race at Monaco Diamond League ahead of the Paris Olympics

Meanwhile, Rai Benjamin’s preparation for the Paris Olympics couldn't be going better. The American recently got the better of long-time rival and Tokyo Olympics gold-medalist Karsten Warholm at the Monaco Diamond League, fuelling the anticipation for their clash in Paris.

Going into the race, fans were promised an exciting affair as Benjamin, Warholm, and Alison Dos Santos, the three fastest 400m hurdlers of history, took on each other ahead of their imminent battle at the 2024 Games. While a close race was expected, Warholm, the world record holder, was favored for the win.

However, in a spectacular performance, Rai Benjamin edged past his Norwegian rival by just 0.06 seconds for the win, re-establishing himself as one to watch out for in Paris. Alison Dos Santos finished third behind the duo with a 47.18.

Overall, the head-to-head record between Benjamin and Warholm still reads 5-3 in the favor of the Norwegian, but the American has now managed to claim two consecutive victories over his rival.

Going into the 2024 Games, Rai Benjamin, who won a relay gold and individual silver at the Tokyo Olympics, will be hunting for his first major individual gold at the prestigious sporting event.