Letsile Tebogo ends Noah Lyles' 26 race win streak ahead of 200m final at Paris Olympics 2024

Letsile Tebogo has gotten the better of Noah Lyles in a 200m sprint, a feat that was just about starting to look impossible. The two raced each other in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, where the Botswana sprinter pipped the reigning World Champion to the finish line, marking the end of the latter’s 26 race long winning streak.

The last time Noah Lyles lost a 200m race was on August 3, 2021. It was the Tokyo Olympics finals, and Lyles, even then a strong contender for gold, had to settle for bronze after both Canada's Andre De Grasse and compatriot Kenny Bednarek outdid him on the day.

After the heartbreak of the 2020 Games, the American became a picture of dominance in his speciality event, starting with the 2021 Prefontaine Classic where he took gold in a time of 19.52s. After that outing in Eugene, Lyles slowly but surely began building the reputation of being untouchable in the 200m, crossing the finish line first whenever he raced over the distance.

His unbeaten streak saw him claim gold in two-consecutive national and World Championships. At the Paris Olympics, Lyles was expected to maintain that streak with ease, especially after his heroics in the 100m which saw him claim his maiden Olympic gold.

In the heats, the American was indeed the fastest man on the track, brushing past his competition with ease. However, come semifinal day, Letsile Tebogo showed up with an incredible run, clocking a 19.96s, which put him well clear of Noah Lyles and his time of 20.08s.

With the finals of the Paris Olympics men's 200m not far away, this upset by Tebogo only adds to the drama of what was already shaping up to be a thrilling race.

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Paris Olympics 2024: Kenny Bednarek outshines Noah Lyles in 200m semifinals

While Letsile Tebogo was the one who outright beat Noah Lyles in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, he wasn't the only sprinter to run faster than the reigning World Champion on the day. Lyles' compatriot and Tokyo silver-medalist Kenny Bednarek was also faster than the 27-year-old in the men's 200m semifinals, clocking a time of 20.00s in his race.

With two sprinters outperforming him right before the finals, Lyles will certainly be on alert as he heads into the gold medal race on August 8. Despite being upset in the semifinals, the American remains a heavy favorite for the gold medal, with his personal best of 19.31s making him the third-fastest man in the history of the event.