The reigning world champion, Noah Lyles, admits to getting closer to the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, as the former waits to take over the 2024 Atlanta City Games. The Atlanta Games are quickly shaping up to be a fast-paced affair that can be a treat for track and field fans. With the Olympics only around the corner, Noah Lyles is eyeing the weekend tournament as the stage to set the tracks on fire as he bolstered his claim for a spot in the national team.

After a recent practice session in Atlanta for the men’s 100m race, Lyles claimed that he had the best training session of his career with times as low as Tyson Gay’s. A recent post by Citius Mag on X (formerly Twitter) shows Noah stating, “They were Tyson Gay 9.7 low times“. Furthermore, Lyles claimed the 150 to be the perfect point in between the 100m and the 200m to test the waters. He mentioned that after the Atlanta Games, things would get more serious: “…after this, the gloves are off…it’s time to run the gauntlet“, said Noah. He also said that he’s been developing steadily as he mentioned, “I’ve been seeing numbers that I used to dream about“, hinting that his best days might be ahead of him.

Taking a cue from the last World Championships, Noah also underscored the depth in Team USA’s roster at the moment, and how sweeping both the 100m and 200m races at the event has helped the American sprinters feel more optimistic about their chances at the upcoming Olympics. However, talking about the relationship the runners share, Noah confessed with a chuckle, “I don’t think any of the 100 guys are friends“, while specifically mentioning his rivalry with the three-time world champ Christian Coleman.

Usain Bolt remains the benchmark in the world of track racers with his 9.58 seconds being the fastest time in the 100m event for more than 15 years, while Tyson’s 9.69 is the second fastest time in the event. If Noah manages to edge past Gay’s record as the fastest American, maybe his shot at usurping the Jamaican’s record may not be a far-fetched thought for too long. Lyles will be running the 150 race at the Atlanta Games on May 18.

Noah Lyles making waves for months

Before the start of the outdoor season, Lyles couldn’t stop making his plans clear for the 2024 Games. The 5-time Diamond League winner claimed to be hoping to bring four gold medals in every event, a feat that even Usain Bolt doesn’t have in his repertoire. After winning gold at last year’s London Diamond League, the 27-year-old stated, “I will run 9.65 | 19.10“, noting that the Jamaican’s 200m record might soon be falling at the former’s hands.

Last month as well, Noah said that he isn’t shy to show his greedy side, as he promised to haul gold in all four events (100m, 200, 4x100m, and the 4x400m) at the Paris Games, a feat that even Bolt cannot boast. Not only that but when Kenny Bednarek clinched the world lead in the 200m race at last week’s Doha Diamond League, Noah was quick to take to social to announce that his teammate’s lead will only stay until they meet on the tracks on the banks of the Seine.

Now, as his fans wait to see Noah back in action, it waits to be seen if the 2020 Tokyo Olympic medalist can at least surpass Tyson Gray before turning his eyes on Usain Bolt.