Noah Lyles aims to overcome the disappointments of Tokyo as he prepares for the Olympic track in Paris, striving to fill the void left by Usain Bolt. Lyles made significant strides towards this goal by clinching treble gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at last year's World Championships in Budapest, earning him accolades from World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who called Lyles an "absolute rock star." The 27-year-old American, known for his confident and charismatic persona, was prominently featured in Netflix's docuseries "Sprint," highlighting his journey and ambition.
Lyles' mindset is unwavering as he views himself as a top sprinter destined for greatness. "You have to have the mindset of a god," Lyles remarked in "Sprint," emphasizing his belief that he is made for big moments rather than being overshadowed by them. His bold approach has sparked both admiration and controversy, especially after he questioned the legitimacy of NBA players' claims to be world champions. Despite this, Lyles remains focused on improving his performance from the Tokyo Games, where he earned a bronze medal in the 200m.
Reflecting on his past performances, Lyles is determined not to settle for anything less than gold. "That bronze still burns a hole in my chest," he admitted after a recent victory in the 100m at the London Diamond League, where he set a personal best of 9.81 seconds. Confident in his abilities, Lyles is unfazed by competitors like Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson. "I beat everyone that I touch," he stated, expressing his belief that no one, including the Jamaicans, poses a significant threat to him.
In addition to his sprinting events, Lyles is ambitiously aiming for medals in four events at the Paris Olympics, including the 4x400m relay. His participation in the relay at the World Indoors in Glasgow stirred controversy, with some accusing the US federation of favouritism.
Unperturbed, Lyles responded, "Run faster, push me out!" Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt, who retired with 11 world and eight Olympic golds, Lyles aspires to transcend being "track-famous" and become a cultural icon. He envisions a future where his success on the track opens doors to opportunities in fashion, music, and collaborations with artists worldwide. To achieve this, Lyles knows that continuing his winning streak and securing medals in Paris is essential.
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