When Coleman was defeated at the US Olympic Trials the sprinter reflected on his rivalry with Lyles and future redemption plans.
Former world 100m champion Christian Coleman made headlines five months ago with a mix of disappointment and determination after a dramatic loss in the U.S. Olympic Trials, failing to secure a spot on the U.S. 100m team for the Paris Olympics.
His rivalry with Noah Lyles, the eventual Olympic gold medalist and Fred Kerley, who finished with silver in Paris remains a focal point of sprinting conversation, especially following the trials where Coleman’s performance fell short of expectations.
In what was one of the most anticipated head-to-head clashes of the season, Coleman found himself missing the podium in the 100m finals of the U.S. Trials.
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Clocking in at 9.93 seconds, he finished in fourth place, trailing behind Fred Kerley’s 9.88 seconds. Noah Lyles surged to victory with an impressive 9.83 seconds, while Kenny Bednarek secured second place, clocking in at 9.87 seconds.
The defeat left Coleman out of the 100m Olympic picture, a bitter pill to swallow for the 28-year-old sprinter who had dominated the event in previous years.
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Speaking after the race, Coleman acknowledged the disappointment but kept his focus on the bigger picture.
"It’s just a part of the sport, and I’ve been doing it for a while," he shared in a post-race interview with FloTrack.
"You never plan for failure, but it’s something that comes with the territory. I know there’s so much more I can do going forward."
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This comment sparked intrigue, as Coleman hinted at working behind the scenes and preparing for a significant resurgence.
He openly admitted that while his performance in the 100m didn’t meet his own expectations, he was already processing the loss and thinking about the future.
"Processing in my head, move on from it, and we got more life to live," he added.
The rivalry between Coleman and Lyles has been one of the most captivating narratives in sprinting over the last year.
The two have traded victories and defeats in the 60m indoor events, including battles at the USATF Indoor Championships and the World Indoor Championships.
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On Day 6 of the Trials, Coleman secured third place in the semi-finals of the 200m event, keeping his hopes alive for Paris.
Unfortunately for Coleman, his Olympic campaign in the 200m event would also fall short, as Noah Lyles once again emerged victorious in the final.
Coleman was then selected for the 4x100m relay squad, but Team USA faced a heartbreaking disqualification due to faulty baton exchanges.
The 2024 season was not what Coleman had envisioned, but he remained steadfast in his belief that his best performances were yet to come.
In his final interview of the season, he sent a warning to his competitors, suggesting that 2025 could be his year for redemption.
“I would have wanted to come out here and win my last race, but I still think I did some things well, and there are others I need to work on,” Coleman stated. “
Like I said, I’ve been working on a lot, and I need to put it all together next year with a full season under my belt.”
Now, two months after the Paris Olympics concluded, Coleman’s words continue to resonate.
The sprinter is determined to bounce back stronger in 2025, eyeing a return to the top of the sprinting world where he once reigned supreme.
His ongoing rivalry with Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley will no doubt be one of the most exciting storylines to watch as the track and field world looks ahead to the next season.