Michael Johnson Defending Jamaicans Accentuates Noah Lyles’ Controversial Statement Ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

The clock showed 9.82s, when Jamaican sprinter, Oblique Seville, defeated his American counterpart Noah Lyles (9.85s) at the 2024 Racers Grand Prix. That day, in the Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston, Seville’s 100m time became his Personal Best (PB), Meeting Record (MR), and world-leading time. However, while Seville took the victory on his home ground, Lyles was busy noting his competitor’s weaknesses. “I study my competitors. I know your weaknesses. I know what your strengths are. I’ll be ready,” stated Noah Lyles, when asked about Oblique Seville following the race.

However, further elaborating on this, he added, “Don’t get me wrong, I was ready, but he was obviously more ready on that day. But I tell you what, there’s a difference between running in Jamaica and running at the Olympics.” Interestingly, during the Jamaican track and field Olympic trials, Kishane Thompson surpassed Lyles’ personal best season record by clocking 9.77 seconds. But Lyles is certain that “It’s gold in Paris. It’s all going to be gold.”

More so, as Netflix dropped the track and field docuseries Sprint: The World’s Fastest Humans, on July 2nd, fans saw Lyles taking over the spotlight on many occasions. Interestingly, while the 100m World Champion shared his perspective on how he is all set for the Paris Olympics, 4x Olympic gold medalist, Michael Johnson, shared his opinion on Jamaican athletes in the Netflix docuseries.

Johnson stated, “Sprinting, not just track and field or athletics. Sprinting is the national sport in Jamaica. If you’re Jamaican champion, that absolutely means something.” This perspective now rings true. Sprinting is a way of life in Jamaica, almost a cradle of civilization. Every year, new track and field sensations emerge to carve out their legacies.

For instance, Jamaica’s new track star, Kishane Thompson, recently qualified in the 100m for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, clocking an impressive 9.77 seconds at the national trials. At just 22 years old and in only his second professional season, Thompson’s achievement makes him the fourth-fastest Jamaican sprinter in history and ranks him among the top ten fastest men globally. But do you know who reigns as the kings and queens of Jamaica?

Usain Bolt

With an HPI of 63.34, Usain Bolt stands as Jamaica’s most illustrious athlete. As a retired sprinter, Bolt is widely hailed as the greatest of all time in his sport, having amassed eight Olympic gold medals and holding world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4 × 100m relay.

Interestingly, ‘Lightning Bolt,’ is looking forward to influencing the next generation of sprinters by joining forces with the ‘World Athletics’ to provide his services. “I’ve reached out to them and let them know I would love to make a bigger impact in sports, as long as they want me to.” Talking about his plans to join the sports’ international governing body, he further added, “We’ve been in talks, but we’ll have to wait and see what comes around.”

Bolt is also certain that the next generation of athletic stars, both Jamaican and otherwise, will create a greater influence on the sport and will take it forward. “I think over time, it will be better. I think young athletes are coming up and I see a few personalities that are needed in sport.” 

Tia Clayton

Two-time World 200m champion Tia Clayton, at the age of 19, showcased her prowess by defeating 37-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to clinch her ticket to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Expressing her elation after she qualified for the Olympics, Clayton mentioned, “I’m feeling very great, I’ve put in the work for this and I feel very great. I got injured at the start of the season and came out with a different mindset.”

She further stated, “My goal for the season was to be injury-free but that did not work well…I just came out here and did my best. I trained very hard after the injury.”

Clayton ran the anchor leg for the Jamaican 4 × 100 meters relay teams that broke the world under-20 records at both the 2021 and 2022 World U20 Championship. At the Jamaican Track and Field Trials, she was .06 seconds behind Shericka Jackson, a two-time 200m world champion and two-time 100m world runner-up.

Shericka Jackson

Shericka Jackson is going to Paris! Jackson struck a double, claiming titles in the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican Olympic trials. In the 100m, she clocked 10.84 to win the race ahead of 19-year-old Tia Clayton and 10-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who finished second and third in respective times of 10.90 and 10.94.

Expressing her elation, Jackson stated, “I’m excited…when I started my season I knew what my goals were and I was to come to the Jamaican trials and make the team to both events (100m and 200m). I did so and I’m on my way to Paris…I’m excited.”

Who is your favorite Jamaican athlete? Comment below and let us know!