New world 100m champion Christian Coleman will not attempt the sprint double at the world championships after all, ending hope of a potential showdown with rival Noah Lyles by pulling out of the 200m before first-round heats Sunday.
Coleman was not on the start list for the heats, which do include three Americans — the world No. 1 Lyles, Kenny Bednarek and Rodney Rowe.
It’s not a huge surprise given Coleman won the 100m title on Saturday night, making the 200m a quick turnaround. Lyles decided before the USATF Outdoor Championships in July to also stick to one individual event, the 200m, despite the fact he beat Coleman in a 100m in May.