Every time Noah Lyles speaks about his aim to reach greater heights, the world takes an interest in listening to him. In the past, he mentioned his goal of grabbing four gold medals from the upcoming Paris Olympics. That’s a monumental task and the 26-year-old American firebrand athlete does not doubt it. Still, he chases this dream with his justification, “Why four? I can grab three but Bolt has done that. I can do two Olympics in a row, but Bolt has done that too. I can do two Olympics in a row, but Bolt has done that too. A field event? Nope, been done. So I really have to look. What’s left on the table that could put me on my Mount Rushmore, make people say, ‘Not only was he great, but he did something that hasn’t been done’?”

Recently in The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, the ‘treble’ winner has spoken on the same topic. However, this time, he has mentioned an event that could be his ‘fourth’ in the Paris Olympics. In this season, Lyles tried that event in Glasgow and the following events irked his national compatriot Fred Kerley. However, the Florida sprinter is in no mood to settle for any lesser goal. 

Noah Lyles backs his fourth event possibility to claim his glory 

In the conversation with host Jimmy Fallon, Noah Lyles said that he “wants to be faster than Usain Bolt”. But just speed alone won’t place him above Usain Bolt. Therefore, he wants medals, as mentioned above, and four Olympic gold medals from the track could only suit him. Subsequently, he narrated the heaviness of the goal by claiming, “Nobody’s done four” and to make it a clean sweep in four events, the 6-time world champion would take part in the 4x400m event as there are already three events for him in the pool (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay). In the meantime, he tried to look at the bigger prize, claiming, “Now you’re going on to Mount Rushmore. Now you’re the greatest of the great”. But what about Fred Kerley’s repeated verbal spat on him and the authority for considering his inclusion in the 4x400m in Glasgow in the final? 

In the Glasgow World Indoor Championships, Noah found a last-minute entry in the American 4x400m relay team, replacing Trevor Bassitt. Ultimately, he helped the team with the fastest split in gaining the silver medal. But Fred Kerley, the regular member of the American relay squad, lambasted the USATF for considering Noah Lyles without any trial. 

Incidentally, Noah Lyles absence in the trial and finding a place in the final made Fred Kerley sniff the favoritism in team selection. Ultimately, Lyles’ entry could cost him the Olympic relay team berth. The reigning world champion argued that he had no previous idea of making a place in the relay final. He fielded his logic by claiming, “I didn’t get any explanation. I just got the call from coach B.” And the fans witnessed the rest of the cogs falling into place, controversial as it was. But the late participation could be a practice chance for Noah Lyles before stepping forth for his litmus test- the trials and finally the Paris Olympics. 

What are the chances of making it into the event? 

After the Glasgow fiasco, Noah Lyles headed to the World Athletics Relays Championship to secure the Olympic ticket for the 4x100m American relay team. He completed his split in the fastest time in the final. Meanwhile, the 4x400m American relay squad also featured in the contest to earn the Olympic qualification. Ultimately, the men’s 4x400m American relay team achieved the qualification after a series of episodes (they had been disqualified initially). But Noah was no part of that team, despite his dominant 400m split in the Glasgow. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist gave out the reason himself. 

In the pre-race press conference, Noah Lyles said, “I can’t give all the details but there were coaches who coached athletes that were on the 4x400m (relay in Glasgow) that didn’t get to run, that did run in the prelims, that were upset about that”. But simultaneously, he added, “I will be training specifically for the 100 and 200 and be as strong as possible in the 400. I am in the best in shape I have ever been in my life.” These statements leave no doubt about Lyles’ ability to contribute seriously if he is given a chance in the 4x400m relay team in the Paris Olympics. Still, to get a clear picture of the situation, his fans will have to wait a few more weeks. But is there no athlete who has bagged four golds in one Olympic? 

The answer to this question could be a mixed response. Both Jesse Owens and Karl Lewis earned the feat of having four golds in a single Olympic in the men’s category. But their fourth medal came in the long jump event. In the women’s category, Fanny Blankers-Koen earned the glory and her fourth one was in the 80m hurdles (now the event is obsolete). On that estimate alone, Noah Lyles could be the sole athlete to win four golds from sprinting events if he remains successful. As of now, several ifs and buts remain on his path to achieving that rare feat of success.