Imagine being dubbed the fastest man, but only officially holding that title in the 200m sprint. This paradox defines U.S. track sensation Noah Lyles as he approaches the men’s 100m dash prelims tomorrow. So far, many people have disliked him for using the title ‘fastest man’, but now, he has the chance to make history.

Can Lyles translate his 200m dominance to the 100m? As the world watches, his journey promises a thrilling narrative of ambition, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. The 27-year-old’s Jamaican rival Kishane Thompson has emerged as a top contender in the 100m sprint in 2024. The 23-year-old popped up on everyone’s radar after clocking a 9.85s 100m sprint at Diamond League China last year. However, he became a true contender and the American’s rival after his extraordinary 9.77s finish in the Jamaican trials.

And now, Thompson’s coach has some criticism for Lyles. “I think you will find he plays mind games with those he is faster than,” Thompson’s coach, Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis, stated, as reported by Marca.

“I don’t think he will have the opportunity this time around, but we will see if his mind games works on people who have demonstrated they are a lot faster than he is,” he said about Noah Lyles.

So what mind games was Francis talking about? Well, Noah Lyles has repeatedly boasted of being the fastest man in the world. He also targeted his Jamaican rivals, including Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, and others. “I beat everyone that I touch… I don’t see why the Jamaicans are any different,” the 5x Diamond League champ told AFP. Could this be an intimidation tactic? Maybe.

This also reminds us of Ariarne Titmus’s honest mistake of switching up lanes with Katie Ledecky ahead of the 400m freestyle. The Australian has placed her belongings in Ledecky’s lane. Many perceived this as a tactic to distract the American. However, Titmus later on clarified it was a mistake. But coming back to Noah Lyles, Franno is looking at the stat sheet.

How does Noah Lyles compare to the fastest sprinter in history?

The track and field coach isn’t the only one criticizing the defending World Champion ahead of August 3. His ‘fastest man’ claims have riled up many track fans in the past.

So how fast is Lyles compared to Usain Bolt? Olympic legend Usain Bolt set the world record as the fastest man across 100m in 2009, clocking in 9.58s. Compared to Bolt, the American’s 9.81 PB, makes him the 15th fastest 100m sprinter, according to World Athletics. This is perhaps a big reason for fan backlash when Kelly Clarkson called him the fastest man in the world on her show.

A similar reaction was seen when Jimmy Fallon used the same title to introduce Lyles on ‘The Tonight Show’.

Noah Lyles fares much better in the 200m dash, as the third-fastest man in history with 19.31s on the clock. However, it’s Usain Bolt who occupies the top spot with a 19.19s PB. There is a real possibility that the Olympic Bronze medalist will upgrade his 200m medal to gold this year. He may even beat Bolt’s record. That’s what he has been saying.

However, Stephen Francis is confident that Noah Lyles won’t beat his pupil across 100m in Stade de France. Now only time will tell what takes place. What do you think?