Thompson Withdraws from Lausanne Showdown with Lyles

Kishane Thompson, the Olympic silver medallist, will not compete in the 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on Wednesday due to reported shin discomfort. His absence means there will be no anticipated rematch with American sprinter Noah Lyles, who had been eager to face Thompson after their closely contested race at the Diamond League event in Silesia on Saturday.

In Silesia, Thompson secured victory in a time of 9.87 seconds, edging out Lyles, who finished with a season-best time of 9.90 seconds. This race marked their first encounter since the 2021 Olympic final, where Lyles narrowly defeated Thompson by just five thousandths of a second. The American sprinter’s season had previously been delayed due to an ankle injury.

With Thompson’s withdrawal from Lausanne, Lyles will instead compete against fellow Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville, who defeated him during Lyles’ season debut at the London Diamond League meet in July. Seville’s rise adds another layer of competition for Lyles, who is aiming to regain his top form.

Thompson’s recent performance at the Jamaican championships in June, where he clocked an impressive 9.75 seconds, has established him as a formidable contender heading toward the World Championships in Tokyo scheduled for September. His current form places him as a strong favourite in the upcoming events.

In addition to Thompson, Shericka Jackson, the world champion, is also absent from the women’s 200 metres starting list in Lausanne. Jackson recently posted her season’s best time of 22.17 seconds in Silesia, showcasing her own potential ahead of future competitions.

As the Lausanne Diamond League approaches, athletes and fans alike will be watching to see how Lyles performs without the challenge of Thompson, while also keeping an eye on Seville, who is looking to build on his recent success.