U.S. track and field star Noah Lyles gave glory to God after winning gold in the men’s 100-meter final at the Paris Olympics in Saint-Denis, France on Sunday and being hailed as the “fastest man in the world.” according to The Christian StandtLyles beat Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by about five milliseconds to win the gold medal.
“I had to find my own journey with God, and a lot of that was through athletics, because there were so many times where I thought, I don’t know if I can do this,” Lyles said. Premier Christian Radio After the race, he said, “God, if you really want me to do this, give me your sign. God gave me his sign and I said, ‘I’ll never doubt you again.'”
Immediately after the race, Lyles initially thought one of his rivals had won, and expressed his gratitude by saying, “Hey, I think you won.”
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson said at the Premier League that the photo finish was “without question the best I’ve ever seen.”
Lyles took to social media last week to discuss the personal struggles that nearly prevented her from competing in the Olympics.
“I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety and depression. But I’m here to say that what you have doesn’t determine what you can be. Why not you?” I have written X Sunday night.
I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety and depression.
But I am here to tell you that what you have does not determine what you can become.
Why not you!— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) August 4, 2024
After winning the U.S. Olympic 200-meter trials in June, Lyles stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mental state when preparing for a race.
“I’ve said it all season, it helps me not to get down,” Lyles told Premier.
“I thank God every day that I made it through every round,” he said. “I’m healthy, mentally and physically.”
During a recent interview with NBC4 Washington, Kyles became emotional as he spoke about the death of his coach, Rashawn Jackson, from Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, Virginia, more than a month ago.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet. My coach, Rashawn Jackson, passed away recently. I remember running down the backstretch and thinking, ‘This is for you,'” Lyles said. NBC4 Washington.
“To be honest with you, I thought he’d be here and watch, but I know he’s watching. He believed in me to be a 100m runner as much as he believed in me to be a 200m runner, so I really thought he’d be here.”
Lyles’ mother, Keisha Cain Bishop, told NBC4 she was thrilled for her son to win an Olympic gold medal.
“I’m so excited. I can’t believe it,” she said. “I’m so excited. I think that’s the loudest I’ve ever screamed.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Christian Petersen/staff
