Amid a thunderous cheer at the Stade de France, Noah Lyles surged past his competitors and pulled off an incredible win in the 100m finals. His hometown, Alexandria, couldn’t replicate the colossal crowd. But the atmosphere was just as electric when their hero returned to where it all belonged. Over a thousand fans showed up to get a glimpse of the Olympian. However, while everyone had a marvelous time, the 27-year-old received another surprise. What could it be? 

A neighborhood production brewery and tap room, Atlas Brew Works, had been working on two new beers. On September 3, they unveiled their new releases to the world. One of them was an homage to the 100m Olympic champion. They rightfully named it the Noah Lyles 100m Golden Ale. We think it’s quite fitting too! We know what you’re thinking. What does this refreshing brew taste like? Don’t worry. We have all the answers!

According to their website, it features earthy hop and subtle floral notes that result in a clean finish. On the other hand, the brewery further clarified what to expect from it. “Named for Alexandria’s hometown Olympic hero, the Noah Lyles 100m Golden Ale has subtle hints of melon and strawberry. Stop into the taproom to honor the fastest man in the world with this 4.1% ABV drinkable delight before it’s gone.” Sounds refreshing! If anyone wants to try the ale, it is exclusively available at the Alexandria location. 

When it comes to a thrilling final, the 100m event at Stade de France would easily take the cake. The 27-year-old edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, the crowd favorite, and etched his name in history. Both sprinters clocked in a blistering 9.79 seconds. But here’s the kicker. Lyles seized the Olympic champion crown by five-thousandths of a second. He had talked a big game leading to the Summer Games, but his incredible win shut down all the naysayers.

But Noah Lyles finally revealed the driving force behind his stellar victory. Everyone has a pre-race ritual, and the sprinter isn’t any different. However, it isn’t the goal of shutting down the haters or finally achieving Olympic glory. The 27-year-old watched the 2008 movie Speed Racer leading up to the final, and what do you know? It worked! But this isn’t the only surprise the Olympian received from Alexandria. 

Noah Lyles received a hero’s welcome post his Parisian stint

The last time the Olympian set foot in Alexandria City High was in 2016. But he returned to the place where it all began on September 22. The city’s official X account had posted an RSVP for the event at Chinquapin Park to celebrate his homecoming. And in true Noah Lyles fashion, he rolled in on a convertible with the school band leading the procession. The sprinter even shared a few images from the event on X, captioned, “It’s a parade in my city yeah.” However, it didn’t just end there. 

After walking through the tracks at his high school, the party was led into the high school’s gymnasium. Justin Wilson, the city’s mayor, presented him with a proclamation. He even praised the Olympian for the way he uses his platform for topics regarding mental health. “We are here to celebrate Alexandria excellence,” Wilson stated. 

But Noah Lyles received another surprise after enjoying his special day. The Senate of Virginia presented him with the Senate Joint Resolution No. 222. He promptly shared his unique gift on X, captioned, “Thank you so much @AlexandriaVAGov.” In the image, the House of Delegates and the General Assembly of Virginia recognize him as the “champion sprinter from Alexandria.” However, he also receives recognition for one other thing.

They also commend the speedster for his 2019 Track and Field News U.S. Men’s Athlete of the Year distinction, along with several more professional accolades throughout his illustrious journey. The official Instagram account of the city shared moments from the day for people who couldn’t visit. The sprinter has consistently put his hometown on the map, and they continue to find ways to celebrate and appreciate him.