Passing the torch to the next generation of track and field, speed phenom Usain Bolt gave Noah Lyles the green light to go after his 100m and 200m world records this year. Who could forget his cheeky statement teasing Lyles: “I think if he corrects a few things – I won’t say – he could get better. The possibility is there… I won’t tell you how to break the world record.”

Fast forward to three months later and the fastest man alive now isn’t so sure that Noah Lyles has cracked the code. Surprisingly, this revelation came right when the 2023 World Champion, Noah Lyles, was unexpectedly bested in his signature event.

Usain Bolt isn’t convinced that Noah Lyles could become the ‘World’s fastest man’

In an exclusive interview with Esquire Middle East, Usain Bolt opened up about what drives him, his kids, his legacy, the future of track and field, and the Olympic year. The Lightning Bolt will be at the Paris Olympics this year, ready to cheer on the next generation of Olympians. He will also be watching closely to see if his 100-meter (9.58 s) and 200-meter (19.19 s) world records are broken by Noah Lyles, who is “Coming For All.“

Usain Bolt has previously shared that, because of technicality, the 200-meter record is more likely to be broken before his 100-meter WR. When asked who he has his eye on, Bolt put his money on Noah Lyles as the favorite for the 200-meter. However, he sees the 100-meter title as much more wide-open and said, “No one has really run that fast this year, so it is really there for the taking like it was last time [with Italy’s Marcel Jacobs unexpectedly winning in Tokyo 2020]. But it will start to become clearer who the contenders are towards the end of June, as we get closer.” Reflecting on these words, could Usain Bolt be right? After all, he said this around the same time Noah Lyles was bested in the 100-meter event.

How the 2023 World Champion was surpassed in Bolt’s homeland

Noah Lyles, who once shared, “Every day, Bolt’s records are in the back of my mind,” was the main attraction at Jamaica’s National Stadium during the Racers Grand Prix. He arrived in Usain Bolt’s home country, ready to prove his mettle. However, luck wasn’t on his side this time, as home favorite Oblique Seville finished first with an impressive 9.82 seconds, assisted by a 0.9 tailwind. Lyles finished second with a time of 9.85 seconds, a big improvement from his previous 100-meter race at the Bermuda Grand Prix, where he clocked 9.96.

He was hopeful about the world’s lead; but despite this setback, the 2023 World Champion seems undeterred by his ambition. He posted on Instagram, “Not satisfied… Hungry for More!” This year, Lyles has shown he’s improving and ready to learn from his mistakes, dropping jaws every time he hits the track. Only time will tell if Noah Lyles can become the first American in two decades to earn the title of the world’s fastest man. Reflecting on Usain Bolt’s words, do you think Lyles can achieve this feat? Share your thoughts in the comments below!