Noah Lyles’ win in the 200m has completely nailed the 2023 race in London. Before this, the recent USWNT win in FIFA WWC once again showcased the USA’s legacy of dominating the Olympics. The American sprinter faced bold competition, yet his tenacity & determination propelled him toward an awe-inspiring finish.

Amidst the celebrations, an unexpected connection emerged when legendary track champion Michael Jordan reposted a tweet acknowledging Lyles’ achievement. Within Jordan’s congratulatory words lay a powerful insight, hinting at a transformative opportunity that could redefine the 26-year-old’s athletic prowess.

Johnson’s words for Noah Lyles and his incredible win

On 23rd July 2023, the 8-time world champion reposted a tweet acknowledging Lyles’ achievement while offering a profound insight that struck a chord with fans. Johnson reposted Travis Miller’s original tweet. It contains one video and a caption, “19.47 moves Noah Lyles (35) ahead of Usain Bolt (34) for the most sub-20s 200m races! #LondonDL”. Michael Johnson added, “Noah has to be thinking world record is possible. His top end speed on the straight has improved dramatically last couple years. Needs to figure out how to reach that same top end speed on the curve. That’s where the opportunity is.”

This insight, encapsulated in the line “Needs to figure out how to reach that same top end speed on the curve. That’s where the opportunity is,” became the heart of the matter. He pointed out Lyles’ remarkable improvement in top-end speed on straight runs over the past couple of years. It was not a criticism but rather a call to action, a gentle nudge towards embracing the untapped potential within Lyles. Jordan’s words underscored the idea that true greatness lies in embracing challenges and continuously seeking improvement.

A Triumph on the Track

Lyles’ win wasn’t a cakewalk. As he raced against top-caliber competitors. The second winner was Letsile Tebogo (19.50 AR), and the third winner, was Zharnel Hughes(19.73 NR). It was evident that he faced a tough challenge. Yet, the young American sprinter rose to the occasion, pushing himself to new heights and eventually crossing the finish line with an amazing time span of 19.47 seconds.

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Post his winning, in conversation with BBC, Lyles expressed his deep connection with the 200m event. He referred 200m race to it as his beloved “wife” and proclaimed his intent to hold on to it. Lyles mentioned, “The 200 will always be mine. She’s my wife. Fourth 200 of the year. I’m not letting go of her. She’s mine.”