What’s the ultimate dream of a track and field athlete? Believe it or not, it’s not just about running. It’s about making it big on the world’s grandest stage: the Olympics. Every four years, athletes pour in their blood, sweat, and tears. And it takes a lot of money to chase that dream. Yes, money! Because it’s not just about running fast. Otherwise, anyone can be like Noah Lyles or Usain Bolt.

It includes perfecting techniques, following strict schedules, and pushing limits from working with a coach. And coaches don’t come free—athletes pay them while putting in equal hard work. Take Noah Lyles, for example. His coach is one of the best in the game. And it has helped him win gold in the 100 m at the Paris Olympics. But who is this legendary coach behind Lyles’ success?

It’s Lance Brauman—pretty much the mastermind behind turning athletes into legends! A former Auburn track star, he’s not exactly the type to crack a lot of smiles. The last time anyone saw him grinning was when Noah Lyles stormed to 100-meter gold in 9.79 seconds. But here’s the thing: People recognize Brauman from his demanding and challenging training methods.

Brauman serves as a coach who dedicated his time to developing two international superstars, including Lyles and Van Niekerk. Everyone dreams about training under him because his track record is outstanding. It’s like every athlete’s dream. One of Brauman’s athletes chose to leave his coaching and change to a different trainer recently.

Two-time world champion splits from Noah Lyles’ coach

A recent World Athletics Hub post shared news of Wayde van Niekerk! They posted on X that Wayde van Niekerk exited from working with coach Lance Brauman. South Africa’s sprinting star Van Niekerk currently leads both the 200m and 400m competitions. In 2021, he followed Brauman to his Pure Athletics training base in Florida while moving to the U.S. to train with Olympic champion Noah Lyles.

But just three days ago, Van Niekerk’s agent, Peet van Zyl, confirmed to Olympics.com that the two-time world champion had split from Brauman. And now? The 400m world record holder is back in South Africa, training on home soil after a four-year stint abroad. “He is officially back in South Africa. At the moment, his stepfather Steven (Swarts),” Van Zyl shared about Van Niekerk’s new coaching setup.

He also mentioned that Van Niekerk is injury-free for the first time in years, saying, “All the injuries and niggles are a thing of the past.” Returning to Bloemfontein, where he built the foundation for his record-breaking career, Van Niekerk is looking to hit the reset button on his athletic journey. After a devastating knee injury in 2017, his performances struggled to match the highs of his Rio 2016 Olympic gold and world-record run. Under Brauman’s guidance, he made some progress, reaching the 400m final at the 2022 World Championships and clocking a season-best 44.33 seconds.

In 2023, he even ran 44.08 seconds, the seventh-fastest time of his career. But consistency eluded him, and his decision to race the 200m instead of his signature 400m at Paris 2024 ended in disappointment, crashing out in the semifinals. However, with his recent move back to South Africa and a fresh start, there’s hope that he could be back to his best in time for LA 2028. At the same time, while Van Niekerk has parted ways with Brauman, another British athlete has now joined the training group.

Three-time Olympic medalist makes bold coaching switch

On January 21st, Daryll Neita, the three-time Olympic bronze medalist, made a big coaching change. After spending the last two years training in Italy with Marco Airale, where she achieved some major milestones, including her first international individual medal, she switched things up and headed to Florida to join Lance Brauman’s Pure Athletics group. It’s a bold move, especially considering how much success she had with Airale, but Neita seems ready to take her sprinting to the next level with Brauman’s guidance.

Now, Brauman is no stranger to working with some of the best in the sport. He runs the Adidas-sponsored PURE Athletics Club and has coached athletes like Noah Lyles, Kendall Williams, Elija Godwin, Jereem Richards, and more to incredible performances. With his high-intensity, integrated training approach, Brauman’s methods have helped athletes reach new heights, and Neita is hoping that he can do the same for her.

Neita’s personal bests are impressive, but there’s still room for improvement, especially in the 200m. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Neita’s betting that Brauman’s coaching can help her close the gap and reach her full potential. This move is one to watch as she aims to elevate her career.