Ahead of Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles Hand-Picks US Athlete for Every Sport in the Mega Games, But There’s a Twist

Noah Lyles, the class apart US track star is just teensy-weensy away from claiming himself an equal of juggernaut Usain Bolt. The third fastest in the all-around list has displayed nothing but a spectacle at the 2023 World Championships. He finished a sprint treble (100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay) after Bolt achieved it in 2015. Although he couldn’t repeat his pathbreaking feat at the 2024 World Indoors, he still bagged two silvers. But there’s an interesting bit.

What happened in these two years is, his confidence leveled up so much that he considers himself an aficionado in all. Alongside a successful track career, Lyles ventures out on different journeys now and then. This became more apparent when he stated something recently to a special guest in his podcast.

Noah Lyles sees himself as an allrounder

Chase Ealey, the shot put icon, was sharing the frame with the 6x World champion when a question suddenly stirred curiosity. In the YouTube podcast named “Shotput as a Weapon and Natural Strength v.s Juicing”, Ealey asked the 26-year-old to pick a US athlete who would be able to ace every Olympic sport. Without even the slightest hesitation, the 5x Diamond League champion struck the NBA players out, after a recent controversial episode. But what he said after was proof of how self-assured he is.

He said, “The occasional track athlete who’s all around like he’s pretty out of track and field, me. I’ve done swimming I’ve done gymnastics… I’ve done almost every sport except for football”, said the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 200m bronze medalist. No wonder he wants “all the Olympics medals” in the sprinting categories. But on his road to Paris, there are some events he has to go through.

Lyles steps up for Bermuda Grand Prix

At Flora Duffy Stadium on April 28, the 100m and 200m World champion will step in to avenge his last defeat. That too, from his toe-to-toe rival Christian Coleman in the 100m dash. Hazel Clark Mac, the Director of Sports Development at the Bermuda Tourism Authority, summoned the athletic enthusiasts for a big announcement. Among the carousel of stories she posted on Instagram, one featured Lyles paired with the caption “Book your ticket to see the World’s best in action, bdatix. Bm at USATF Bermuda Grand Prix.”

Hinting at the arch-rivals making a comeback for the ‘rematch’, her next story said, “Get set, to watch the world’s best male sprinter bdatix. bm.” Last year, Coleman was successful in his feat by edging out Lyles by clocking in at 9.78s. But this time, he would not take a chance as his confidence level surged. In no time, he might also try his hand at other Olympic sports.

READ MORE: Usain Bolt’s “Possibility” Comment Sparks Fans’ Hope in Noah Lyles To Beat the World Record