Subscribe
×
If you've been tracking the buzz around the showdown between NFL star Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles — it's not happening. This week, Lyles officially called off the race, citing personal reasons, leaving fans disappointed and social media in meltdown. While the cancellation put a pause on what could’ve been a viral cultural moment, the 2025 track and field season hasn’t lost a step.
From record-breaking performances to rising NCAA stars, the sport continues to deliver on every front. Here's everything else that's been heating up this summer — even without the Lyles-Hill matchup.
The biggest track and field headline of the summer didn’t happen and has been called off. Noah Lyles officially canceled his race against NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill, a matchup that had fans, media, and sports Twitter salivating. Initially teased as a crossover showdown that could elevate the sport’s mainstream profile, the race has now been shelved due to “personal reasons,” according to Lyles’ team. This race was never just a gimmick. It was a rare chance to merge audiences — track purists, football fans, casual sports followers — and it had the potential to spotlight sprinting in a way that only pop culture moments can. So when it got canceled, it felt like a huge missed opportunity.
But with that being said, Noah Lyles doesn’t need a race with Tyreek Hill to matter. He’s already the best 200 m sprinter in the world, potentially on his way to challenging Bolt’s records, and he’s undefeated this year. If the focus now is on Tokyo, fine. But this cancellation won’t go quietly and it leaves a lot of fans questioning what could’ve been.
Meanwhile, the track world has been delivering on every other front.
The World Indoor Championships kicked things off with high drama and serious hardware. Grant Holloway reminded the world why he’s still the one to beat, claiming gold in the 60m hurdles (7.42) and extending his indoor dominance. Meanwhile, distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen did what only Haile Gebrselassie had done before: win both the 1500m and 3000m indoors. That’s legacy work.
Speaking of legacy, Mondo Duplantis added yet another chapter to his with a new world record in the men’s pole vault, 6.15 m in Oslo. He’s now extended his own record eight times in five years. It’s not even a question anymore — we’re witnessing one of the most dominant field athletes of all time, and he’s not close to done.
The Bislett Games in Oslo, held June 11–12, delivered fireworks. Karsten Warholm shattered his own world best in the 300 m hurdles, clocking 32.67 seconds, beating the likes of Rai Benjamin and Alison dos Santos to wild applause. In the 5 000 m, American Nico Young sprinted to victory in 12:45.27, claiming a new U.S. outdoor record. Meanwhile, Great Britain’s George Mills lowered Sir Mo Farah’s 14‑year-old national 5 000 m record to 12:46.59, a breakout performance despite finishing fourth.
On the women’s side, Julien Alfred ran 10.89 to open in Oslo and followed it up with a dominant 10.75 win in Stockholm — both wind-legal 0.9, now second-fastest time in the world for 2025. That’s a clear statement she’s peaking at the right time and threatening a world title this summer.
Duplantis capped the weekend with that big vault which is an early indicator that this year’s outdoor field competition may push right through to world record territory.
Some athletes are blowing up. Others? Quietly stacking wins and climbing toward greatness. Here are a few names you need to track:
These are the kinds of athletes we’re watching closely on Ready Set Go. Not just because of their times, but because of how they show up. Technically sharp, mentally locked in, and refusing to get comfortable.
If you’ve been waiting to tap in, this is the time. The outdoor circuit is officially rolling.
All of this is building toward the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (September 13–21). The real tests are coming. And the breakout moments are happening now.
Here’s what we always say on Ready Set Go: track and field is about more than medals. It’s about identity, resilience, and those quiet moments that explode into greatness.
2025 has already given us new stars, legendary streaks, and NCAA history. With Paris, Tokyo, and Diamond League drama ahead, the energy is only going to build.
Keep your eye on the lanes. We’ll keep you posted.
P.S. New Ready Set Go episodes drop every Thursday, and you know we’ll be breaking down the Paris meet, spotlighting rising talent, and keeping it all the way real. Don’t miss it.
