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When Noah Lyles missed the 2025 World Relays, everyone had their eyes glued to the Adidas Atlanta Games.

Because what he did last year at the Atlanta City Games was nothing short of a blockbuster performance with a blazing 14.41 finish in the 150m event.

Well, last time, Lyles missed his best record (14.35s) by a whisker, but the 2025 Atlanta City Games seemed like a perfect opportunity for the Paris Olympics gold medalist to beat his personal best.

But just as the action was about to kick off on May 17, Team USA was hit with an unexpected crisis.

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Just days ago, when Team USA faced an embarrassing elimination from the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China, many believed it would not be the case had Lyles been with Team USA.

Instead, he chose to take part in the customized 15m track in Atlanta’s iconic Piedmont Park. But to what avail? As per Atlanta Track Club magazine, Lyles will be present at the Atlanta City Games, but he will not race.

Wait what? Yes, the 27-year-old has been ruled out of the competition due to an injury.

“Noah Lyles, originally slated to compete, will not race due to injury but will be available to sign autographs and meet fans at the merchandise tent from 4:15-5:15 p.m. in the Meadow at Piedmont Park,” Atlanta Track Club’s report read. So, on May 17, when Noah was finally present at Piedmont Park and signing autographs for his fans, the interviewer could not wait but asked, “What’s keeping you out today?”

Without dodging the question, Lyles confirmed that he has been facing discomfort in his ankles for over two weeks now.

Hence, he decided not to risk it. “Unfortunately, I just got a really tight ankle,” he said. “It kind of surprisingly came around two weeks ago… We came up here thinking anything could happen; it could loosen up. But we’re just like, you know what—it’s not getting better.

It’s just playing safe.” Despite not competing in the Atlanta Games, Noah also confirmed that his season is far from over. “I got two bars in the World Championship. There’s no need to rush anything,” Lyles concluded.

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With Noah Lyles sidelined, there are no American athletes left competing in this event, meaning Team USA won’t be winning any medals here.

The top contenders now are Zharnel Hughes from Great Britain, Alexander Ogando from the Dominican Republic, Ferdinand Omanyala from Kenya, and Terrence Jones from the Bahamas. But can it impact Noah’s season, too?

This was supposed to be his second race of the season, after his outdoor season opener at the Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, about a month prior, where he ran 45.87 seconds in the 400m, marking his first competitive 400m race since 2017. Now, with this injury, Noah’s 2025 season is already delayed before it gets going.

Looking back, Noah’s outdoor season openers and early races have been pretty consistent since 2022, setting a pattern of building momentum early in the year.

In 2022, he raced twice before May: starting at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational (200m, 19.49s) and then at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha (200m, 19.72s). In 2023, again, two races before May—opening at the Tom Jones Memorial (100m, 10.01s) and then the Doha Diamond League (200m).

In 2024, Noah Lyles stepped it up with four early-season races: the Tom Jones Memorial (100m, 10.01s), Jamaica’s Racers Grand Prix (100m, 9.85s), the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix (100m, 9.96s), and the Atlanta City Games (150m, 14.99s).

But this year, 2025, he only managed one race so far, the 400m at the Tom Jones Memorial, before this injury sidelined him.

And that’s not the only reason his absence might disrupt the entire US sprint program’s strategy.

How? Because it could create problems for the nationals. What’s at stake? Let’s break it down.

Team USA’s sprinting future rests on Noah Lyles. Here’s why

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We know Noah Lyles, the name every track fan knows and fears, is facing a tough break.

Yep, the US sprinting superstar is sidelined with an injury, just as the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (September 13–21) loom large on the horizon.

Imagine that: the biggest event of the year, where every sprinter dreams of making history, and Noah was gearing up to chase triple gold in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.

Watching him run? But now? That sprinting storm is on hold, and Team USA’s golden plans are hanging by a thread. So, why is Noah’s injury such a big deal?

Because he’s more than just a star sprinter—he’s the glue that holds the US 4x100m relay team together.

This guy isn’t just running solo; he’s been the anchor and starter on gold-winning teams time and again.

Remember the 2023 World Championships in Budapest? Lyles anchored the US men’s 4x100m relay to a blazing 37.38-second victory—part of his legendary triple gold haul that year.

And then, at the 2024 World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, he did it again, helping the team win more gold with a world-leading 37.40 seconds.

That’s how crucial Noah’s presence and rhythm are for the squad.

Here’s the bottom line: the US relay’s gold-winning formula depends on runners who can break 10 seconds in the 100m and 20 seconds in the 200m, and Noah Lyles’s speed (100m best is 9.79 and 200m is 19.31) and experience are key to that mix.

Lose him, and suddenly the baton exchanges get shaky, the pace slows, and rival teams like Jamaica and Great Britain see a real shot at stealing the spotlight.

With Noah already out of the 2025 Adidas Atlanta City Games, Usain Bolt’s records might just survive another season intact.

Noah’s injury isn’t just a personal setback; it’s a potential game-changer for the entire US sprint program.

The sprinting world will be watching if Noah Lyles can bounce back and hit the track in time for the World Championships.