The legendary American sprinter explains why, health-wise, Noah Lyles was never going to win the Olympic 200-meter gold.

Whether or not Noah Lyles was healthy, the 2004 Olympic champion provided an explanation for why he was not in the ideal position to win the 200 meters.

Even if Noah Lyles had been well, he would not have won the 200 meters, according to American track veteran Justin Gatlin. According to Gatlin, Lyles had expended all of his energy in the men’s 100-meter run and had little left to contribute in the 200-meter run.

The 2004 Olympic 100-meter winner, speaking on his Ready Set Go podcast, noted that it took a toll on him to compete against powerful athletes like Kenny Bednarek, Letsile Tebogo, and Erriyon Knighton, and that going into the final, Lyles could only afford to take home a bronze.

Junelle Bromfield has received a ton of praise from Noah Lyles, who has praised her for persevering through life’s challenges and consistently emerging stronger. The three-time world 200-meter winner sent a long post on his X handle, stating how proud he was to be dating Bromfield. Bromfield raced in the 400m and the 4x400m mixed relay at the recently ended Olympic Games in Paris.

She was eliminated in the quarterfinal of the 400 meters, and Team Jamaica placed fifth in the mixed relay final. Lyles has publicly expressed his admiration for her performance after it took place, both at the Olympic Games and in later competitions such as the World Championships.