World and Olympic champion Noah Lyles will race over 100m at the London Athletics Meet – part of the Wanda Diamond League – in the British capital on 19 July.

The US sprinter has fond memories of racing in London. His first appearance at this meeting came in 2023 when he won the 200m in a season’s best of 19.47 in an epic showdown with Letsile Tebogo. One month later, Lyles went on to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the World Championships in Budapest.

Similarly, Lyles won in London again last year before going on to achieve success at the Olympic Games in Paris. He won the 100m in London in a PB of 9.81, which he went on to reduce to 9.79 when taking gold at the Olympics.

He’s now aiming to notch up another victory in London en route to the World Championships in Tokyo, where he hopes to add to the four individual world titles in his collection. After winning the 2019 world 200m gold, he successfully defended that title in 2022 with a PB of 19.31, making him the third-fastest man in history.

“My road to defending my world titles in Tokyo in September goes through London,” said the 27-year-old, who recently opened his outdoor season with a 400m PB of 45.87. “I’ve had great experiences there the last two years, running some of my fastest times, and I look forward to another in July.”

The Detroit Lions have made waves over the past two seasons with their gritty, no-nonsense approach to football under head coach Dan Campbell. As they head into the 2025 season, all eyes are on how the team will adapt to recent rule changes that are reshaping special teams strategy across the league—particularly kickoff returns. Given their personnel, coaching philosophy, and recent roster moves, expect the Lions to be very aggressive on kickoffs this season.

In an effort to reduce injuries while reigniting excitement on special teams, the NFL has introduced a hybrid kickoff model similar to the one used in the XFL. The new format positions the majority of coverage and return units closer together, minimizing high-speed collisions while increasing the likelihood of returns. Fair catches are also limited, and touchbacks place the ball at the 30-yard line instead of the 25, which incentivizes return attempts.

This change plays perfectly into the Lions’ hands.

Dan Campbell’s Philosophy: Bite Kneecaps on Special Teams, Too

Dan Campbell has become synonymous with a smashmouth mentality. His teams don’t play it safe—they take calculated risks, fight for every inch, and look to win the physical battle on every snap. That same ethos translates directly to special teams. Expect Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp to see the new kickoff rules not as a constraint, but as an opportunity.

In 2023 and 2024, the Lions were already among the top five teams in special teams efficiency. Their unit is disciplined, aggressive, and fundamentally sound—exactly what’s needed to exploit the new kickoff landscape.

The Lions have quietly constructed a roster that’s built for high-effort, high-impact special teams play. They’ve prioritized depth, especially with hybrid linebackers and safeties who excel in open-field tackling and pursuit. Rookies and second-year players like Malcolm Rodriguez and Jack Campbell are already proven special teams contributors.

Add in explosive returners like Kalif Raymond or rookie draftee Corey Brooks, and Detroit has a balanced group of fast, physical athletes ready to thrive under the new format.

They also invested heavily in special teams during the offseason, signing gunners and coverage aces known for their speed and aggression. This wasn’t by accident. Detroit saw the writing on the wall and positioned themselves to take advantage early.

In close games—something the Lions experienced frequently in 2024—field position is everything. If the Lions can pin opponents deep or spring a few big returns to the 40 or beyond, that flips momentum and puts pressure on the opposing defense. Under the new rules, explosive kickoff returns won’t be the exception; they may become the norm for well-coached units like Detroit’s.

Finally, the Lions understand that kickoff plays often set the tone, especially in home games at Ford Field. With an energized crowd and a chip on their shoulder, look for Detroit to bring heat on every opening kick, both to intimidate and to energize their sideline.

In 2025, the Lions aren’t just embracing the new kickoff rules—they’re weaponizing them. Don’t be surprised if Detroit becomes the gold standard for aggressive, intelligent special teams play this season.

Usain Bolt once admitted that he ‘hated’ once race and even feared competing in it during his sprinting career.

Bolt, 38, is the fastest man of all time and still holds the 100 and 200m world records – with times of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds – both of which he set at the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.

His medal haul includes eight Olympic gold medals – formerly nine before he was stripped of the 4x100m relay gold from 2008 due to a teammate failing a drug test.

But there was one event which Bolt never truly mastered and even abandoned due to him ‘hating’ training for it.

Despite competing in the 400m throughout his time as a junior, the Jamaican decided to stop running the distance even though this was against his coach’s wishes at the time.

Speaking on Ready Set Go earlier this year, Bolt explained: “We were talking about what we needed to do, and he said I needed to get into the gym, and I also needed to run another event.

“I was like, ‘Coach, I’m not doing 400 metres’, and he said, ‘No, you have to do 400 metres because it’s going to help your 200 metres’.

“I said, ‘Alright, let’s make a bet. Let me run one 100 metres; if I run fast, I run 100 metres; if I run slow, I run the 400 metres.

“But he thought I was going to run slow.

“I’ll never forget that Wallace Spearmon and I were actually in that race in Greece. Wallace and I were talking, and we said if I can just get 10.1 seconds, I think that’s quick enough.

“He said, ‘If you can run 10.1, that’s excellent’. I ran 10.3. Then it was 9.8, 9.7—you know what I mean; everybody was running a regular 9.9. It wasn’t consistent.”

Bolt added: “If I had run 10.2, I would be running 400 metres.”

The legendary sprinter then explained how he “would have been good” at the 400m distance but ‘hated’ the training.

The Jamaican elaborated on his reasons by saying: “The only reason is I just never wanted to run the 400 metres. I didn’t care about anything, but the fear of the 400 metres, I just didn’t want to do it.

“The 200 is my favourite, I love it. When I started running, I used to run 100 metres, but I was so slow out of the blocks, I would never make it through the semi-finals.”

The sold-out success of the recent Diamond League meeting has ignited renewed calls for the host city to consider a bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

Thousands of enthusiastic fans packed the stadium, generating an electric atmosphere that both athletes and organizers hailed as one of the best in recent memory. The turnout has prompted key figures in athletics to argue that the city is not only ready—but ideally positioned—to host the world’s premier track and field event.

The Diamond League meet, known for attracting some of the biggest names in global athletics, witnessed a record crowd that exceeded expectations.

Tickets sold out weeks in advance, a rarity in an era when many track events struggle to fill seats. Spectators were treated to thrilling performances, with world leads and personal bests falling across various disciplines. The crowd’s energy seemed to fuel the athletes, creating a feedback loop of excitement that highlighted the event’s success.

Athletes and coaches were quick to praise the event’s organization and the support from the local community. Olympic champion and Diamond League regular Jakob Ingebrigtsen called the atmosphere “electric” and said it reminded him of competing in global finals. “It felt like a championship tonight,” he told reporters. “The crowd, the energy, the organization—it was all world-class.”

Local officials, buoyed by the positive feedback and the logistical success of the event, are seriously considering a bid to host the 2029 World Championships.

The city’s mayor remarked in a press conference, “What we saw here tonight was not just a successful sporting event. It was a statement. Our city has the infrastructure, the passion, and the capability to host the very best in global athletics.”

In the wake of the sell-out, several national and international athletics officials echoed those sentiments. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who attended the event, said he was impressed by the operational excellence and community engagement. “The Diamond League here set a benchmark,” Coe said. “When you see this level of support and energy, it’s only natural to think about scaling it to a full championship.”

Past World Championships have been awarded to cities with a strong track record of hosting international events, solid infrastructure, and enthusiastic local backing. This city now ticks all those boxes.

The stadium, recently renovated to meet international standards, includes a fast track surface, expanded seating, and modern athlete facilities. The local transportation network efficiently handled the influx of spectators, and hospitality venues across the city reported booming business over the event weekend.

Perhaps most crucially, the emotional connection between the fans and the sport was evident. Social media was flooded with videos and photos from attendees celebrating the event, with many calling it one of the most memorable sporting experiences of their lives.

As discussions around the 2029 World Championships heat up, this Diamond League meet may be remembered as the catalyst. With growing support from athletes, officials, and the public, a formal bid seems increasingly likely. If successful, the 2029 edition could mark a new high point for athletics and reaffirm the city’s place on the global sporting map.