“I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression.” – Noah Lyles was grappling with his inner demons when he clinched his first Olympic medal 3 years ago in Tokyo. However, he came back stronger in the years that followed, hoping to redeem himself on the world’s biggest stage. The 27-year-old made a promise to America to break the 20-year-old 100m medal drought at the French capital. As he stepped onto the purple tracks, all eyes were on him.

Even though he was battling 6 medical conditions, the Olympian stayed true to his word. Despite a late start, he caught up to the favorite Kishane Thompson and Fred Kerley, claiming his first Olympic gold medal in front of a raucous crowd in Stade de France. Lyles’ mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, was in the stands. She watched her son speed past the finish line with tears streaming down her face. Many eagle-eyed fans had even noticed her fresh manicure featuring both the Jamaican and American fans.

Post being crowned as the new Olympian 100m champion, Noah Lyles went on to celebrate his win on X. He wrote, “I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You?” After soaking in the moment, Keisha spoke to Hearst Television about how she hopes people take one thing away from his win. “I just want our experience to encourage somebody else. That kid might have asthma or adhd or dyslexia. Or a single mom. Like we want you to know that when you start is when you finish,” she said.

Even though the sprinter’s mother has been his biggest cheerleader, there once was a time where she wasn’t entirely onboard with his dreams. Lyles used to struggle with asthma as a child, and spent years trying to overcome it. However, when he told her he wanted to go professional in 10th grade, Keisha wasn’t too keen on letting him shift his focus from academics just yet. But when he proved that he was willing to put in the work in 2016, she knew Lyles would be okay.

Keisha was worried about the 27-year-old after his experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The lack of an audience had left the sprinter rattled. “When I see him now, I worry about what’s going to happen when the lights and the cameras go away, because it’s almost like an adrenaline rush that you get.” Before he stepped into the 100m finals, Keisha told Lyles to take it all in and have fun. The sprinter went on and did so much more than that – he won!

Noah Lyles’ Olympic journey came to a crashing halt at Stade de France

The 100m finals featured all the drama – a late start, a nail-biting chase, and a beautiful photo finish. With 9.79 seconds, Noah Lyles edged Kishane Thompson by 0.005 seconds for the top step of the podium. He then shifted his focus to the 200m finals, an event he clinched a bronze in 3 years ago. With a renewed vigor, the sprinter made an exciting entrance into the stadium. Amidst a thunderous roar of “USA,” he made his way to the blocks.

Lyles had his sights set on being the first American since Carl Lewis to claim a gold in both the 100 and 200m events at the Summer Games. However, it just wasn’t meant to be. He trailed behind Letsile Tebogo and his compatriot Kenny Bednarek, clinching yet another bronze with 19.70 seconds on the clock. But while the other medalists were busy celebrating, the 27-year-old seemed to be having difficulty breathing. He made his way to the sidelines, eventually leaving the stadium in a wheelchair. Despite the health-scare, Noah Lyles put his money where is mouth is. And his mother Keisha Caine couldn’t be any prouder.