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Noah Lyles questioned the Prefontaine Classic and Athletics Kenya for the decision to host the Kenyan 10,000m Paris Olympic Trials.

“Why in the world are we hosting another country’s Olympic qualifier? We should know how much of an issue this is after Worlds ’22. Also, their country won’t be able to see their athletes make the team in person,” he said.

Backed by Nike and operated by the USATF the event will likely be better organized at Hayward Field.

Also, Kenya’s sports ministry had said in April it would be closing Nairobi’s two main stadiums and another in the athletics hub of Eldoret for renovations to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations which Kenya will host jointly with Tanzania and Uganda. Therefore, Eugene it is.

Not mentioned anywhere is the likelihood of better doping control in Eugene. To host a World Athletics-sanctioned meet, doping control must be in place. While control in Eugene may not be a deal-maker, it certainly offloads the responsibility to another organization. Weather may be a minor factor in that Nairobi’s temperature will be 25C (77F), whereas in Eugene the forecast is for highs of 18C (64F). Finally Eugene is located at 195m or 600 feet above sea level, whereas Nairobi sits at nearly 1800m (6000 feet) of elevation. While placing top three is more important than times during the Trials, Athletics Kenya will get a better idea of who is ready to race near sea level. Paris sits at 35m above seas level.

World champions of what?

Lyles, the charismatic six-time World champion, has been known to speak out to the press. He captured the attention of the NBA and general sports media when he questioned the NBA on calling the league champions, “world champions,” during the 2023 NBA finals.

“I watch the NBA finals and they have “world champion” on their head. World champion of what? The United States?” Lyles asked.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love the US — at times — but that ain’t the world,” the 26-year-old added.

While during the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships, Lyles was enthused by how truly global the sport of athletics is. “We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag,” he added.

Where the hell is Eugene?

Lyles is unafraid to point out the obvious, why Eugene for an international meet?

Lyles’ hometown of Gainesville is where Gatorade was invented — perhaps Lyles is proud of the fact that Gainesville is on the map since the creation of the sports beverage. Of course, Lyles was being facetious and rhetorical when he asked, “Where the hell is Eugene? He was implying, if you will, that the 2023 Diamond League finalé should be hosted in a major US city, perhaps like Los Angeles or New York or Gainesville.

He had a point on both occasions — except Gainesville. Perhaps Gatorade would like to fund the sport to the same level as Nike.

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