'Arrogant' Noah Lyles slammed by fellow Olympian with brutal nine-word takedown

Letsile Tebogo, the new Olympic 200m champion from Botswana, has taken a swipe at his 'arrogant and loud' American rival Noah Lyles after clinching gold on Thursday night. Despite Lyles securing bronze while battling Covid, which prevented him from attending the post-race press conference, Tebogo didn't hold back during his interaction with the media.

The youngest men's 200m gold medalist since 1956 remarked, "I think, for me, I can't be the face of athletics because I'm not an arrogant and loud person like Noah," adding, "So, I believe Noah is the face of athletics."

While Lyles was seen in a wheelchair post-race at the Stade de France, he took to social media around 10 pm local time to praise Tebogo: "LETSILE TEBOGO congratulations! " he posted. "I know you have had a very rough year off the track and despite that you overcame it all!."

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Tebogo, who lost his mother in May, dedicated his remarkable victory, clocked at 19.46 seconds, to her memory. "It really means a lot to my late mum because she always dreamt of making it here," he expressed.

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"I think my little sister is in the stands. I don't know where she's sitting, but I believe she's happy, she's representing her while she's here. So it means a lot for everybody - the country, the continent, and my family at large," reports the Mirror .

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Lyles, one of the world's top sprinters known for his inspiring personality, shared on social media after his 100m victory: "I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!"

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Despite being eligible to compete in the men's 4x100m relay on Friday, Lyles seems to have chosen not to due to Covid concerns. "First I want to thank God for getting me through this entire Olympics! Second I want to congratulate Letsile Tebogo and [USA team-mate and 200m silver medalist] Kenny Bednarek and everyone else on an amazing Olympic 200m final," the 27-year-old posted on X.

"Finally I want to thank everyone for the supportive messages. I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It is not the Olympics I dreamed of but it has left me with so much Joy in my heart.

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"I hope everyone enjoyed the show. Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched, didn't you? See you next time Sincerely, Your world's fastest man for the next 4 years!."

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