Noah Lyles knows how to back up his stories.
The 27-year-old sprinter became the first American to win gold in the 100 meters since Justin Gatlin in 2004.
Lyles won in an epic photo finish, winning by five thousandths of a second, his first Olympic gold medal.
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Team USA athlete Noah Lyles celebrates winning the gold medal in the men’s 100 meters final at the Paris Olympics on August 4, 2024. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Lyles is well known for his colorful personality and emotive nature – before the opening ceremony he wrote “ICON” on his fingernails (again, walking the talk).
However, what most people don’t know is the hardships he went through, and how he used it as motivation for those who needed it.
“I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety and depression but I want to say what you have does not determine what you can become. Why not you!?” Lyles posted on Sunday night (early Monday morning Paris time).
Lyles crossed the line in 9.79784 seconds, a personal best, and when the results were official he simply said, “I told you, America, I can do it!” Surprisingly, he was tied for worst reaction time and last at the 40 meter mark.
It was the fifth gold medal won by Americans on Sunday (along with golfer Scottie Scheffler, cyclist Kristen Faulkner, swimmer Bobby Finke and the women’s 4×100 medley relay team).
Noah Lyles of the United States team will compete in the men’s 100m final at the Olympic Games in Paris on August 4, 2024. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
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Lyles is currently focused on the 200 meters (he “Dream goal” His goals are to beat Usain Bolt’s world record of 19.19 seconds and to win the 4x100m relay double.
Carl Lewis, track legend He recently told Fox News Digital that the sport “needs” Lyles to have an edge in these matches.
“I think the sport needs a champion like him. He’s the defending champion, he’s the fastest man in the world right now and we need someone to grab him. I think he’s the perfect person to do that and I’m very excited,” Lewis said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
Team USA athlete Noah Lyles celebrates winning the gold medal in the men’s 100 meters final at the Paris Olympics on August 4, 2024. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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“I think track and field is more exciting when you have a superstar. So if Noah wins, I think the sport will be more exciting. Instead of saying, ‘Who will win?’ people want to say, ‘I hope he wins,’ or ‘I hope he doesn’t win.’ You want to root for someone or not root for someone. I think it creates more tension when you have someone who is just so dominant. It has always been that way throughout history. … People have really been drawn to the sport when someone has been really dominant.”
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