Despite US-Jamaican Rivalry, Noah Lyles Breaks Silence Over Competition Ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

“I study my competitors. I know your weaknesses. I know what your strengths are. I’ll be ready,” stated Noah Lyles when asked about his Jamaican counterpart, Oblique Seville, days before the commencement of Jamaican Olympic trials. Since Lyles already clinched his ticket to Paris, the Jamaican roster is yet to be filled. However, as the Olympic trials already hit the ground in the Land of Springs, it seems like the American sprinter has a formidable opponent who can assert a good challenge in the French capital.

On 29th June, right after Elaine Thompson-Herah announced her withdrawal in the wake of Achilles injury, Kishane Thompson brought some hope for Team Jamaica. Kishane Thompson ran 9.77 seconds to win the 100-meter Jamaica Olympic Trials final. In doing so, the 22-year-old track star also surpassed Lyles’ personal-best time of 9.83 seconds from the US Olympic Trials 100-meter final.

However, despite being dethroned from his crown, Lyles stayed unbothered and expressed his elation about this new benchmark set by his rival. Interestingly, he took to his X, and wrote, “Shout out to them boys running out there in Jamaica! Y’all are really helping to make this a great Olympicchampionship.”

Following his victory, Thompson added, “My coach instructed me to just run the first 60, nothing more.” The 22-year-old further added, “After that I should just shut it down. If I came in second or third, I make the team. The goal wasn’t to do anything, just to run a 70 or 60 and see where I am at.”

However, he posted a 9.82 in his opening heat on June 27th, Thursday. But he came back with more adrenaline this time to clock 9.77 in the final round. Moreover, Thompson beat his compatriot Oblique Seville, who notched a win over reigning world champion, Noah Lyles at Racers Grand Prix.

While everyone is excited to see Lyles and Thompson go head-to-head at the mega-stage, for the American sprinter, Usain Bolt’s record remains the major goal.

Noah Lyles ready to challenge Usain Bolt’s legacy

Noah Lyles has always been vocal about his desire to become the ‘world’s fastest man alive’, a title held by the iconic Usain Bolt. During his interview with TIME Magazine, Lyles once again expressed his desire and willingness to do the unbelievable. According to the 26-year-old, he has all that it takes to beat the Jamaican legend. “I have the personality, I have the speed, I have the showmanship. I have the marketing mindset. I’m willing to be uncomfortable,” Lyles claimed in the interview.

However, the American is no stranger to breaking Bolt’s record as he has done it once already. During the 2023 London Diamond League, Lyles outshined Bolt for the most wind-legal sub-20s performances in the 200-meter race. With his 19.47 seconds win in that race, the sprinter broke 20 seconds for the 35th time in his career. However, this accomplishment is not enough for Lyles, as he aspires to surpass the Lightning Bolt’s 100m record that the Jamaican set in Berlin back in 2009.

While keeping his ultimate goal in mind, Lyles is also confident about winning his first Olympic goal medal this year. Interestingly, as the track fandom awaits to see US-Jamaican rivalry unfold on the tracks of Paris, Lyles is certain that he’ll stand atop the podium. “I’m here to race anybody who wants it. The deeper the field, the better I run. I know I’m going to win. Because I’m never going to break nerve.”