“The possibility is there”—this four-word sentence may have given Noah Lyles the ultimate source of happiness. Seriously, those words egged him on for the last several years. The 27-year-old athlete has been chasing Usain Bolt’s track records. In the 2022 Oregon World Championships, he came close to the Jamaican legend’s 200m milestone. But the 0.12-second difference proved to be a gap of eternity. After the London Diamond League, he is still 0.23 seconds away in the 100m. So in such a situation, getting praised by the maestro himself is ample motivation. However, Usain Bolt does not think of Noah as his successor. 

The eight-time Olympic champion is not even ready to count on any Jamaican athlete to break his records. Rather, to everyone’s surprise, Bolt mentioned the name of an an American sprinter, who has the spark to move forward. 

Usain Bolt fails to recall the name but remembers the achievement 

On the brand new season of The Obi One Podcast, Usain Bolt joined hosts John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy to discuss his accomplishments and facts from his personal life. Now that the Paris Olympics are on the horizon, the discussion turned to Bolt’s track records, which are otherworldly. Notably, since the 2009 World Athletics Championships, his double event records are still standing and he doesn’t see anyone in the present generation who can usurp those in one fell swoop. But he brought up one name that impressed him a lot. “I think he ran 19.40 something and he’s still like, he’s probably just turning 20. So he was pretty good”, Bolt discussed the athlete’s achievement merely, failing to recall the identity. However, when he mentioned “Knight from States,” it all checked out.

In reality, Usain Bolt was talking about Erriyon Knighton, the 20-year-old athlete from the USA. The fans won’t have to wait much longer to get a glimpse of his ability, as Erriyon will show up at the Paris Olympics, for the 200-meter event with utmost verve. In the last few years, the event has become his trademark. Showcasing his ability in that event, the footballer-turned-athlete impressed Bolt to an extent that made the latter take his name, ignoring Noah Lyles or Kishane Thompson as his successor. Erriyon Knighton’s display of athleticism is one of wonder and might be a force that will give Bolt a run for his money.

On April 30, 2022, 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton took 19.49 seconds to cross the 200m in LSU Bernie Moore Stadium. In comparison, Bolt’s top timing was 19.93 seconds at 17 years of age. Ultimately, Bolt hit 19.75 seconds at 20 years of age, whereas Erriyon’s best attempt at this age is 19.77, just 0.02 seconds behind. If that fails to make him claim the limelight, then yet another fact can be explored.

Between 17 and 18 years of age, Erriyon Knighton scratched a full 0.35 seconds from his 200m performances, which had not been the case for Usain Bolt. Such facts may have impressed the legend. But not only Bolt, Erriyon’s prowess, turned Noah Lyles’ eyes his way as well. 

Noah Lyles speaks highly of his American rival

This year, in the US Olympic trials, Noah Lyles set the world-leading time in the 200m event (19.53 seconds). That timing made it possible for him to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Subsequently, Erriyon Knighton chased him and ended up in the third position with 19.77 seconds, while Kenny Bednarek remained the second. This standing has become a mainstay in the last few years in the 200m event. In the 2022 Oregon World Athletics Championships, these American sprinters swept the 200m event with the same ranking as the Olympic trials this year. So, while huddling with such names, Erriyon Knighton has become consistent. 

The Florida-born athlete has confirmed this fact. In one of his interviews with the Associated Press, he mentioned, “I like (the rivalry) because I know every time we step on the track. we’re going to bring the best out of each other.” Meanwhile, Noah Lyles couldn’t ignore the competition Erriyon brings in, being the youngest in the group. “I see him as a kid. But he’s also a rival,” as he conceded about the latter. Now, the duo will meet in Paris, eyeing the 200m gold. Noah has the brute pace to counter his opponents. But now, Erriyon Knighton has the support of the legend.