ATHLETICS: Noah Lyles says leg cramp is not a serious injury

NEW YORK – World champion Noah Lyles eased concerns over his condition after suffering leg cramps during the men's 200-meter final at the U.S. National Championships on Sunday, saying the issue was only a cramp and not a serious injury.

Lyles appeared to be in control around the curve before suddenly slowing down and grabbing his left leg in the final stretch, prompting concern from spectators at Icahn Stadium. He finished last in 50.88 seconds after deciding not to continue at full speed.

Despite the dramatic finish, the American sprint star assured reporters that his left hamstring had cramped and that he chose not to risk further injury.

"I'm like, 'Yeah, there's no reason to keep pushing that.' So I just decided to cut it off. To be honest, it's just a cramp. Just got some electrolytes here, just gonna chug them down," Lyles said.

Garrett Kaalund won the race in 20.04 seconds.

Lyles said the demanding schedule may have contributed to the cramp after he delivered a world-leading 9.79 seconds to win the men's 100-meter title on Friday, following a wind-assisted 9.76 in the semifinals earlier that day.

"Running two nine-sevens in one day is kind of crazy. And I think I underestimated how fast that really was and trying to come back," he said.

The Olympic 100-meter champion added that the experience gave him a greater appreciation for the consistency of retired Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt.

"This does show me what it takes to keep going, which, you know, kind of puts a perspective on how kind of great Bolt was," Lyles said. -Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters