Paris: The Stage for Noah Lyles’ Olympic Dreams
As Noah Lyles stands on the brink of securing his Olympic bid in the 100-meter dash, he does so in style, donning a striking navy blue Gucci suit adorned with the brand’s monochrome logo and complemented by three bold white stripes running down the sides of his pants. This ensemble is part of an exciting collaboration between Adidas and the high-end Italian fashion house. In his hand, he carries a briefcase featuring the iconic Yu-Gi-Oh trading card, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and the legendary Snoop Dogg was there to unveil it. This moment is a perfect blend of high fashion, anime culture, and hip-hop — three worlds converging for one sprinter.
Just a couple of weeks later, Lyles found himself gracing the screens of Netflix as a star. His journey to the Paris Olympics has been nothing short of extraordinary, almost as if he scripted it himself. Aiming to transcend the boundaries of track and field, he seeks to step into the realm of celebrity typically reserved for athletes in major sports, and he is doing so with unapologetic flair. This bold approach has drawn mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike.
While some prefer their athletes to embody humility, demonstrating greatness born from hard work and community spirit, Lyles is deliberately challenging that notion. “Everybody has their own vibe. I’m a showman,” he declared in the Netflix documentary series “Sprint.” He believes he’s not just an athlete but an artistic director of sorts, stating, “Track and field needs to be the same as other sports, and I will not rest until I see that achieved.”
Yes, this ambition may come across as brash, yet it is proving effective. At just 27 years old and hailing from Alexandria, Virginia, Lyles has become an undeniable figure in athletics. Whether one admires him or finds him over-the-top, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to ignore his presence. He understands that to garner attention in a sport that often lacks inherent hype, he must create it himself. His blend of charisma and cultural connections has made him a magnet for eyes, and he’s successfully captured the spotlight.
As he approaches the Summer Games, two critical questions linger:
- Question 1: Can he achieve legendary status in track and field?
Lyles embarked on this quest by declaring his ambition to become the world’s sprint king. While he has already established dominance in the 200 meters, he is now taking on the iconic 100-meter dash, aiming to claim the throne left vacant since Usain Bolt’s retirement. His solitary Olympic medal thus far is a bronze from the Tokyo Games, but Lyles is convinced he will win gold in both the 100 and 200 meters in Paris. Achieving this feat would place him among an elite group of only eight Americans, the last being Carl Lewis in 1984. (For context, Bolt won this coveted double three consecutive times: in 2008, 2012, and 2016.)
In true Lyles fashion, just before the 2023 World Championships, he stirred the pot by taking a jab at NBA champions, attempting to ruffle the feathers of the superstars he aspires to join. Many perceived him as a clout chaser, akin to a battle rapper seeking fame by dissing bigger names. However, Lyles then backed up his words by clinching gold in both the 100 and 200 meters, effectively turning skepticism into respect.
What makes Lyles particularly impressive is that amidst all the spectacle, he continues to deliver exceptional performances. He has not lost a 200-meter race since the Tokyo Olympics, amassing an impressive streak of 25 consecutive wins leading into Paris. His remarkable improvement in the 100 meters — where he finished seventh at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials — now positions him as a leading contender for gold, alongside Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
- Question 2: Would Olympic success be sufficient?
Would winning gold in Paris propel him into the realm of mainstream fame in America? Would his ability to call his shot and deliver on it elevate him to household-name status? Historically, the track legends whose fame extended beyond their sport achieved this through monumental performances. Carl Lewis is arguably the most iconic male track athlete, while Michael Johnson became a household name after winning both the 200-meter and 400-meter doubles at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Others who have achieved the prestigious double include Florence Griffith-Joyner, Wilma Rudolph, and Jesse Owens.
Securing gold medals in Paris would be a crucial milestone for Lyles. Not only would he solidify his status as an Olympic champion, but he would also be poised to capitalize on this glory with the 2028 Olympics slated to take place in Los Angeles. This four-year window of basking in Olympic accolades could elevate his profile as track and field’s marquee name in the U.S. — a noteworthy opportunity to shine in front of a home audience.
Lyles’ vision is ambitious yet attainable. While some fans may not resonate with athletes who boast before delivering, the majority hold respect for those who can back up their bravado. “I’m a true believer that the moment isn’t bigger than me,” he stated on Netflix. “The moment was made for me.”
He is acutely aware of the advantages that come with declaring greatness beforehand. Even Michael Jordan, among the most transcendent athletes in history, noted that while it’s easy to speak confidently when ahead, a true measure of character is found in those who can speak up even when the score is tied.
As Lyles prepares to take the track at Stade de France this Saturday, the score in the Olympics will be 0-0. He has been vocal about his aspirations — through interviews, social media, rap songs, eye-catching fashion choices, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, body art, and an Apple TV documentary — but now it’s time for him to let his feet do the talking. If he succeeds in Paris, Lyles may just find the transcendence he has been striving for.
GO DEEPER: For Nia Akins, U.S. 800-meter Olympian, music was the path to confidence in track.
