Lyles fires out worlds warning as Hunter Bell sets new best

Noah Lyles laid down a hefty marker for next month's World Athletics Championships by winning a thrilling 200m rematch against Letsile Tebogo of Botswana in the Diamond League final in Zurich.

- Sean Ingle

Tebogo sprung a major surprise at last year's Olympics by beating Lyles, who it later turned out had Covid.

And it looked like a repeat was on the cards as Tebogo led from the gun. But in the final strides the American finally got his vest in front to take victory - and the $30,000 prize - in 19.74sec, with Tebogo 0.02 back in second. It was a much-needed confidence booster for Lyles after two recent defeats in the 100m, as he took his sixth Diamond League final win.

"Six in a row, the most in track!" said Lyles afterwards. "It is pretty nice to have that. I saw Letsile lean on the finish line but I knew I won."

It was a good night for British athletes as Max Burgin nearly took down the men's Olympic 800m champion and Georgia Hunter Bell ran a personal best in the women's 800m.