American sprinter Kenny Bednarek has announced his withdrawal from competing in the 100 Metre Race at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 26 year old who specializes over the 200 Metre distance, made the announcement via his Instagram after news broke that he alongside 2024 Olympic bronze medal winner Noah Lyles and Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville had been named among the sprinters to compete in the event on Monday, August 5.
However, Bednarek, who won silver at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games in the 200 Metres, has pulled out with the announcement preventing another showdown with Lyles stating, “Will not be running in the Lausanne Diamond League race” on his Instagram page.
Bednarek and Lyles had a viral incident at the US Championship when Bednarek shoved Lyles after the latter stared down Bednarek following Lyles’ win in the 200 metres event.
After being announced by the meet organizers, Kenny Bednarek shares an update that he is not racing in the Lausanne Diamond League.
(via: kenny_bednarek/IG) pic.twitter.com/BRH7IKhc9i
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) August 5, 2025
Lyles run down Bednarek to win the race in a time of 19.63 seconds which was 0.04 seconds faster than Bednarek and celebrated by staring Bednarek down.
Lyles got shoved by Lyles and the pair exchanged a chippy conversation after the race where Bednarek expressed his displeasure about Lyles’ taunting after the race.
Noah Lyles vs. Kenny Bednarek didn’t disappoint in a tense 200m. 🍿
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/NEADV4AcKF
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2025
“What he said doesn’t matter, just what he did. Unsportsmanlike sh*t and I don’t deal with that”
Kenny Bednarek on his finish with Noah Lylespic.twitter.com/MGlGXUKEBr
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) August 3, 2025
