Noah Lyles recently garnered a lot of opinions from fans after he opened up about going after the world record in the 400m dash. He had a bittersweet experience at the Paris Olympics 2024 where he won two medals and tested positive for COVID-19.
The American sprinter showcased his dominance in the 100m dash in Paris, winning gold with a time of 9.79s. He trounced another event favorite, Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, who also recorded a time of 9.79s, and Fred Kerley of the USA, who posted a time of 9.81s to claim third place.
Noah Lyles also claimed a bronze medal in the 200m dash, where he clocked 19.70s and was left behind by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and USA’s Kenny Bednarek, who claimed first and second places, respectively.
Days after his performance at the Paris Olympics, Lyles opened up about having a chance go at the 400m world record in the future. Speaking on the Nightcap Podcast, hosted by Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Lyles said (via Citius Mag’s Instagram):
“My PR is 19.3s in the 200m. And I have some pretty good strength on me as well. I truly would like to take a shot at the world record if I decide to move to the 400m truly and give it my 100% for multiple years – yeah I’m going after the world record.”
Following this statement, he received a lot of reactions from track and field enthusiasts alike. One of the followers commented:
“Dude always talking crazy.”
Another user questioned Lyles’ claim to break the 400m world record, writing:
“Bro just be yapping.”
Unhappy with his decision, another netizen said:
“Now he’s just trying to piss me off.”
Here are some more reactions:
“Noah it’s time to stop talking,” a fan wrote.
“Noah ur not Jeremy Richards tho… u can’t maintain ur strength over 400m bro stop the cap,” another one chimed in.
“Noah will not even get Top 3 in 400… he’s delusional,” commented another user.
Noah Lyles opens up about COVID-19 situation at the Paris Olympics 2024
Noah Lyles’ time at the Paris Olympics was a roller coaster ride as he tested positive for the COVID-19 virus ahead of the 200m dash. He recently opened up about his experience during the campaign on the aforementioned podcast. He revealed that the athletes who tested positive for the virus were allowed to compete in Paris.
“Yeah, there was a conversation…While I was getting tested, I was talking with the Team USA doctors, and they were telling me what the rules are,” Lyles said. “They changed from Tokyo [Tokyo Olympics 2020], they said that anybody who has COVID is allowed to compete, it’s upto the governing body of the sport , the sport or the country to decide how to handle the COVID situation.”
Noah Lyles added:
“So, I’m just letting you know, there were a lot of people in the village who had COVID.”
Noah Lyles’ personal best in the 200m is 19.31, which is the American record and was set in 2022.
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