Noah Lyles says his popularity is making it difficult for him to stay in the Olympic Village in Paris.
The U.S. sprinter and one of the stars of the Netflix series “Sprint” said Monday that staying in the village has been mentally stressful as he prepares for upcoming competitions.
“I became very popular in the village. Unfortunately, it was difficult to find my own space in the village and there were challenges with food, gym training and so on,” Lyles told reporters. USA Today.
“Some athletes leave the village and find their own hotels, but I like to enjoy the whole Olympic event – being with other athletes and all that – but it comes with its own challenges of finding your own safe place.”
“It’s a bit difficult for me to find a place for it within the village and I don’t want to leave the village, but I definitely feel I need to have a discussion with the higher-ups once the Olympics are over. Whoever is in charge needs to make it more available and more aware.”
The 27-year-old Lyles, who is seeking his first Olympic gold medal, is a six-time world champion who has won gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4×100 metres relay at the 2023 World Championships.
He became the first sprinter to achieve the feat since Usain Bolt in 2015.
2024 Paris Olympics
“I’m not the most popular person in the village, so I know I’m not the only one who’s had to deal with this situation,” Lyles added.
“Even though we may be superstars in your eyes, we are human beings too. We want to have our own space and our own time. We want to enjoy the Olympics just like you do.”
“I was talking to my therapist. [Sunday] And we were just trying to figure out how to isolate ourselves better. Now I find myself eating at ridiculous hours in the back of the cafeteria just to have some space alone with her. [Jamaican track and field athlete Junelle Bromfield]”I was just trying to enjoy my meal.”
