Speedster Noah Lyles opened up on the future of athletics, having the support from track legends Carl Lewis and Usain Bolt, and why athletes need to start thinking outside performances.
Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles has a big dream of transcending athletics to a better state than it is now – one he’s proud to have the support from legendary athletes Carl Lewis and Usain Bolt.
Lyles who’s the reigning world’s fastest man as the world and Olympic 100m champion, is arguably the face of athletics following his track success in the past year.
[Image: Noah Lyles is arguably the face of athletics this season]
His brilliant performances as a successful sprinter backed by off-track fame and influence relevant to his vocal personality, have made him the most controversial athlete, which has seen him termed as cocky and arrogant by fans and his fierce 200m rival Letsile Tebogo.
[Image: Letsile Tebogo didn’t hold back on trolling Noah Lyles after being asked who he thinks is the ‘face of athletics’.]
However, Lyles believes he’s mostly misunderstood and his emphatic personality is exactly what track and field needs to transcend the sport.
The American speedster recently visited the Comcast Campus in Philadelphia on a day to honor the Olympic athletes. As one of the 16 Comcast Team USA-sponsored athletes, he had lots to say about his Olympic experience and the people who inspired him in his journey.
[Image: Noah Lyles waves to fans in his hometown of Alexandria, VA. ©Zebra]
When asked where he sees the sport 10 years from now and if anything can be done better, Lyles didn’t hesitate in stating that athletes need to bring in more value away from competition and performances.
“You look at a lot of other sports and they’re doing media, they’re doing press conferences, they’re doing meet-and-greets and all the extra pieces like magazine covers and photoshoots. I feel that our sport is so focused on the win, we haven’t gotten the idea of the other pieces to help us grow and interact with the world.”
The interviewer further asked what he thinks of the opinion of nine-time Olympic Gold medalist Carl Lewis who “thinks the sport needs someone like you as champion.”
“It’s very nice to hear. Bolt told me the same thing. It’s nice to not have everyone criticize you constantly and call you cocky and arrogant,” replied Lyles.
[Image: Carl Lewis | Wkipedia]
The 27-year-old against all odds powered to the Olympic 100m title in a new personal best of 10.79s, edging fierce Jamaican rival and world leader Kishane Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second, with both clocking the same time.
His victory saw him become USA’s first Olympic gold medallist in the men’s 100m event since Justin Gatlin attained the same feat at Athens 2004 Games. Lyles also added the 200m bronze medal despite racing ill with COVID, which he has stated in post-Olympics interviews as one of his biggest accomplishments.
[Image: Paris Olympics epic men’s 100m final photo finish with Noah Lyles taking victory in 9.79s]
Unsurprisingly, his feats in Paris have seen his fame skyrocket as one of the most popular and influential sportsmen, making influential public appearances and being a role model to several young sprinters globally.
What do you think about Noah Lyles’ comments on the future of athletics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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