“Noah is going to be Noah,” Bednarek told media after the race, per CNN. “What he said didn’t matter, it’s just what he did. Unsportsmanlike s–t and I don’t deal with that. It’s a respect factor.”
Lyles—who is the fastest American to ever run the 200m—didn’t have to race, as his world champion title automatically earns him a spot in the World Championships, though he’s said he opted to participate to get extra reps following his ankle injury in April.
“At the end of the day, he’s fresh,” Bednarek continued. “Last time we lined it up, I beat him, that’s all I can say. Next time we line up, I’m going to win.”
Indeed, Bednarek has beaten Lyles in both of the last two Olympic 200m finals, winning silver on both occasions to Lyles’ bronze medal.
“The grand summary is: don’t do that to me,” he added. “I don’t do any of that stuff. I think it’s not good character right there. That’s pretty much it. At the end of the day, he won the race, so I’ve got to give him his props. He was the better man today.”
