After Sha’Carri Richardson’s Multiple Backouts in 2024, Noah Lyles Admired for Racing Just Before Olympic Trials

What would be the ideal approach ahead of a clash against world-class opponents? A significant majority might go to guard their weapons until the final battle. But Noah Lyles has never looked to belong to that majority. Meanwhile, the USA’s other star contender for the games, Sha’Carri Richardson, is sitting in a diagonally opposite approach. However, instead of going into hibernation and sharpening his weapons in silence, Noah Lyles seems more interested in testing them live before deploying them in the Parisian arena. This is evident, as he’s been on a sprinting spree since the start of the 2024 season.

Lyles just made his debut in the outdoor event at the Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville, Florida. After the Tom Jones Invitational, Noah’s next stop is known to be the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix from April 26-28. That is followed by a flurry of races in the coming months that add to his already-packed schedule ahead of the Olympics.

According to the latest release from the London Diamond League, Noah Lyles has decided to run in the 100m race of the event. The date will be crucial as it may happen between the US Olympic trials and the main event in Paris. The trials in Oregon are set to take place from June 21 – 30. And, athletic events in Paris start from August 1. 

The Budapest three-peater is scheduled to participate in at least five meets before going into the Paris Olympics. After the USATF Bermuda Meet, the World Relays will come up for him in May. Subsequently, before hopping in the trials, Noah will have the Adidas Atlanta Games, Racers Grand Prix, and USATF NYC Grand Prix.

On the other hand, the female reigning 100m champion ended her 2023 season in the Prefontaine Classic. Although she cliched the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, she finished fourth in the 100m at The Prefontaine Classic. But she missed out on several races this year to announce her return.

This year, her schedule included participating in the 100m and 200m events at the Miramar Invitational. However, at the last minute, the 24-year-old sprinter backed out. Later, she just made her much-anticipated debut in the Xiamen Diamond League in the 200m event. However, she ended her race in the runner-up position. Sha’Carri Richardson’s next race is scheduled for the Shanghai/Suzhou Diamond League on April 27. But, the post-Diamond League schedule has yet to see a light from her.

However, Noah Nyles seems to be a man with a plan ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. His brave decision to compete in so many events has earned praise from the enthusiasts on social media platforms. 

Fans shout out Noah Lyles’ hunger to chase the superiority 

On X, a fan brought up a list of several athletes who have not shown up very frequently on the tracks and asked them to take a lesson from Noah. Topping the list is the World and Olympic champion in 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. She will run her first 400m hurdles in 20 months at the 2024 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix on 18 May. Another prominent star is Noah’s Arch-rival Fred Kerley. He created quite a stir during the World Athletics Indoor Championships a few days back, when he openly criticized Noah Lyles’ inclusion 4x400m relay.

Recently, he made another wave by declaring “I’m doing the 100m, 200m and 400m” in Paris. But compared to Noah, his pre-Olympic schedule looks lackluster. He opened his season at the Hurricane Invitational securing gold. At the recently concluded Xiamen Diamond League 100m, he finished second after Christian Coleman. Next up for him is the Shanghai Diamond League. But whether that prepares him for the grand battle against Noah remains a question. And that has a ground.

In that regard, a fan pointed out a problem in track and field that it lacks a head-to-head contest. This may understandably take the touch away from the athletes. After securing the runner-up position in the Xiamen Diamond League 200m, Sha’Carri Richardson said, “I was a little nervous…I know what I need to work on.” But the point is, without hitting the tracks, one can’t understand if the strategies are working or not. This is where Noah might have an edge. However, there might be a flip side as well. 

An athlete might end up getting exhausted by running in too many races, which can take away their steam when it is needed the most. But when it is Noah Lyles, fans think he can handle that well. Noah himself had also hinted the same previously in an interview, “I’ve of course trained my body to do things no one else has… But I’ve never felt like I’ve slowed down that process,” he had told to the Washington Post. And he has tested his stamina on some previous occasions as well. Interestingly, one of those happened in the London Diamond League last year. 

In 2023, the Lomdon Diamond League was the last meet before Budapest WAC. And everyone remembers what Noah did there. Ironically, this year also London will probably be his last stop before Paris. That might be one reason that Noah expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “Last year was my first time competing in London and to run such a fast time was a great experience. The atmosphere in the London Stadium was incredible and I could feel the energy coming from the crowd.”

That very energy is something that makes Noah distinct. And he has to keep that high since he will be “coming after all the medals” in Paris. It remains to be seen if this extreme testing of himself ahead of the Olympics brings Noah the fortune he is chasing.