Noah Lyles looks forward to sprinting back to Italy

At the 46th edition of the Golden Gala, to be held on June 4, 2026 at the Olympic Stadium, U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles will compete in the 100 meters. An important stage for the Wanda Diamond League that will mark the beginning of the European season. The presence of the outclassman Noah Lyles promises a very exciting race, and in the coming weeks all the details about the ‘queen of athletics’ race and the opponents who will challenge the duecentrist at the Olympic Stadium will also be announced.

Noah Lyles recalled his first and so far only race at the Golden Gala in 2019: “One of my favorite races ever was in Rome against Michael Norman, I hope there will be another one like that.” On that occasion Norman had won over Lyles with a final time of 19″70 in the 200 meters. Filippo Tortu had also participated in the same race, setting his season’s record with 20″36, finishing fifth.

The 28-year-old American Noah Lyles has achieved some really big results in his sports career, with eight world titles, including four in the 200 meters and the one in the 100 meters won in 2023. He is also the third fastest man ever in the 200 meters thanks to a time of 19″31 done in 2022 and came very close to Usain Bolt’s world record (19″19), while in the 100 meters he has a personal best of 9″79. In recent years, he has also made headlines outside the track, participating in the TV series “Sprint” and being noted for his unique style and his always peculiar statements, which make him one of the most well-known athletes in world athletics.

At the Golden Gala, the 100-meter competition has been held in 41 out of 45 editions, starting in 1980 with the victory of American Stanley Floyd (10″22) and ending with the success of Trayvon Bromell in 2025 (9″84). From 1994 to the present, the 100 meters was missed only in 2019, when space was preferred to be given to the challenge in the 200 between Noah Lyles and Michael Norman. The Golden Gala record is held by Justin Gatlin, who ran 9″75 in 2015, and Noah Lyles aims to beat it.