At the 100-meter finals of the Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles turned heads not just with his incredible sprint but with a bold, unforgettable moment. He tore his bib and flashed it to the world in a ‘Remember this name’ gesture. Moments later, he leaped into the arms of two very special women waiting for him at the Stade de France sidelines—his girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, and his mother, Keisha Caine Bishop. With pride lighting up her face, Keisha kept repeating, “I’m so proud of you,” while Noah basked in the glory of his achievement. For him, there’s no question about it: his mother is his biggest inspiration.

Noah’s parents, Keisha Caine Bishop and Kevin Lyles, were both athletic powerhouses in their own right. They met in the 1990s at Seton Hall University, where both were track and field stars. Kevin was a 400m specialist whose impressive 45.01s sprint in 1995 secured him a top 15 world ranking. But life threw a wrench in their athletic dreams—Keisha and Kevin divorced in 2008, creating a rift in the father-son bond that left young Noah Lyles navigating through some tough times.

Now, following his Paris Olympics win, Noah Lyles opened up on the Today Show about the woman who has been his rock throughout it all—his mom. “My mom was the whole reason that I was able to go on this journey of track and field,” Lyles said. “Of course, you have you. You could just be thrown in there. But she wanted to make sure that me and my brother had every tool at our disposal and she sacrificed so much to make sure that we would be able to get that.”

Keisha wasn’t just a supportive cheerleader; she was the driving force behind Noah Lyles’ decision to go pro. “And that led us to being able to turn pro. And then eventually, you know, making every and any team that we wanted and desired for,” Noah Lyles added. But beyond the gold medals and achievements, what Noah treasures most is the safe space his mom provides. “I know that I have a team and a support system, that no matter what I go out for, I have a safe place to go back to,” he said.

Keisha wasn’t just a supportive cheerleader; she was the driving force behind his decision to go pro. “And that led us to being able to turn pro. And then eventually, you know, making every and any team that we wanted and desired for,” Noah added. But beyond the gold medals and achievements, what Noah treasures most is the safe space his mom provides. “I know that I have a team and a support system, that no matter what I go out for, I have a safe place to go back to,” Noah Lyles said.

When Keisha Caine and Kevin Lyles announced their split, the heartbreak hit hard, and soon Noah Lyles and his brother, Josephus, were packing up and moving into a modest apartment. With barely enough cash to scrape by, they were left sleeping on the floor, their lights flickering on and off. “Our lights were shutting off,” Noah recalled with EssentiallySports, and it’s clear Noah Lyles’ words carry the weight of those tough times. In a stroke of luck, Noah’s uncle Rahsaan stepped in as their guardian angel, offering them a place to stay.

Meanwhile, Keisha dove into a new chapter of her life, selling makeup as her first job after the divorce. Through it all, her sons were right by her side, showing unwavering support. Reflecting on these challenges, it’s evident that Keisha deserves a standing ovation as the true MVP behind Noah’s success. But you might be wondering—why did things go south between Noah and his dad? And did you know that despite the rift, Noah once gifted his father something truly beautiful?

Noah Lyles and Kevin Lyles may have had their differences, but their bond? Unbreakable!

Not everything in Noah Lyles’ story has been a smooth sprint to success. His relationship with his dad, Kevin Lyles, has seen its share of highs and lows. When Noah’s parents divorced, the family relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, and Noah’s relationship with his father started to fray. The distance grew, and what could have been summers of bonding over track were consumed by Noah’s commitments to junior and world youth teams.

Health issues, including asthma, led to Noah Lyles being homeschooled, further straining their connection. Despite these challenges, Noah has always been grateful for his father’s introduction to the sport, even if it meant missing out on a traditional father-son track experience. But here’s a heartwarming twist: In 2020, Noah gave his dad a gift that was a real home run.

Kevin had once lost his 1993 Big East Championship ring amidst the chaos of raising kids. Fast forward to Noah’s surprise—he tracked down one of Kevin’s old teammates, borrowed the ring, and had a replica made. When Noah Lyles presented it to Kevin, the reaction was priceless: “One of the best gifts ever.” It’s a sweet reminder that even through the ups and downs, some moments can truly bring family closer together. Reflecting on these revelations, what are your thoughts on Lyles’ family dynamics? Share in the comments below!