Noah Lyles: The Confident and Ambitious Sprinter with Olympic Dreams
Noah Lyles, an American sprinter, exudes a high level of self-assurance after winning three world championship titles last year. His ambitions reach beyond his present achievements as he sets his sights on breaking Usain Bolt’s records in the 100 and 200 meters.
Hubris or Swagger?
“He was the fastest man ever to do it,” says Lyles, with a grin. “And soon, it’ll be me.” Some might view this statement as hubris, while others may consider it the self-assured talk of a top athlete in prime form during an Olympic year.
Expanding Horizons and Ambitions
Lyles has made a name for himself as a track and field star, known for his likeable demeanor and unwavering confidence. He won his first world championship title over 100 meters last year in Budapest and an indoor silver medal over 60 meters earlier this month in Glasgow.
The 26-year-old plans to target four different disciplines at the Paris Games, including the 100m, 200m, and both relay events. This unprecedented level of ambition for a sprinter showcases his dedication to the sport.
Improvement and Progression
“We worked on the 60 to help my 100 and my 200, and we’ve seen major progression in that,” Lyles shares. “I’m extremely excited to see what it’s going to look like outdoors. Because of that, it just keeps the confidence going up and up and up.”
From World’s Fastest Man to Challenging Records
Established as the fastest man in the world at the 2021 World Championships, Lyles won the 100m with a personal best time of 9.83 seconds and claimed his third consecutive title in the 200m. Breaking Usain Bolt’s world records of 9.58 and 19.19 will require patience, determination, and continuous improvement.
Unique Approach to Greatness
“When it was time to show up, he showed up and got it done,” says Lyles. “I’m kind of more the guy who likes to assert his dominance throughout the whole year.”
Building on Success: Preparation for Paris and Beyond
“To be honest, I think these last three years have all been build-ups,” Lyles admits. “Now, if we look at last year in 2023, it was: ‘Okay, this is the blueprint for 2024.’ We nailed that so well that now we’re just in an automatic pilot mode.”
Upping the Intensity: The Secret to Success
“I’ve been lifting a lot more,” he explains. “Not to say that I wasn’t lifting already, it’s just that the attitude towards the weight room has increased – more aggression, more weight, a lot more emphasis on that.”
Rise to the Top: Overcoming Obstacles
Lyles’ journey hasn’t always been smooth. After being a strong favorite to win 200m gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, he faded towards the end of the race and finished third. Regaining his status as a dominant sprinter required a string of world championship titles.
Beyond the Track: Fashion, Music, and Engaging with Other Athletes
“When I got the title of world’s fastest man, now all of a sudden people perk up their ears like, ‘The world’s fastest man said that?’” Lyles recalls. “I already had three world championship gold medals under my belt, but as soon as you get the title of the world’s fastest man, now people are like, ‘Oh shoot. He’s somebody.’”
Engaging with the Basketball Community and Embracing the Challenge
Lyles made waves in the basketball community last year when he questioned why NBA championship-winning players referred to themselves as world champions. The response from basketball stars like Kevin Durant and Aaron Gordon sparked a lively conversation about the significance of various sports titles.
Continuously Pursuing Greatness
“I already had three world championship gold medals under my belt, but as soon as you get the title of the world’s fastest man, now people are like, ‘Oh shoot. He’s somebody’,” Lyles reflects. “My goal is to continue growing, pushing boundaries and inspiring others.”
