LAUSANNE, Switzerland, (CMC) — On a track more suited to kayaks than sprinters, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville delivered a statement performance, powering through a downpour to defeat Olympic champion Noah Lyles at the rain-soaked Athletissima Wanda Diamond League meet here on Wednesday.

Defying a flooded track and steady rain, Seville blasted to victory in a remarkable 9.87 seconds, proving his recent win over the American was no fluke.
The time was just one-hundredth of a second off his winning mark in London last month, where Lyles also finished second.

“We can perform even in hurricanes,” a triumphant Seville remarked after the race. For me, it’s just execution and to show my dominance, to separate myself from the field once again.”
For Lyles, the race was a case of what might have been. The U.S. star, building form in an injury-delayed season, suffered a disastrous start out of the blocks.

He spent the rest of the race clawing back time, eventually chasing down Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake to clock 10.02 seconds and secure second place. Blake was awarded the same time for third.
The result marks Lyles’ third consecutive Diamond League loss in the 100 metres, casting a shadow just one month before he is set to defend his world title in Tokyo.
After the race, Lyles was direct in his assessment, pointing to the start as his sole undoing.

“I just had a horrible reaction to the gun. Physically, I feel great, and I am confident every race will get better and better.”