Noah Lyles has had a season of wax and wane. He has been in the limelight for the best of reasons and the worst. But as the track and field calendar phases out, regardless of the lows, Lyles took a moment to express gratitude. Lyles took it to X and wrote, “Thank you, 2024 Season. Oly 100 champion, Oly 200m bronze medalist, 2x World indoor silver medalist, 2x National champion, American record 150m.” A simple reflection of great things that encapsulated it all. It wasn’t long before the fandom started reacting.

“Indeed, the face of track and field,” wrote one fan. A comment that is in direct contrast to the criticism he faced throughout the ten months of 2024. Earlier this season, in the lead-up to Paris and post, Lyles faced a lot of hate online. It, however, kicked off when, before his 200m race at the Paris 2024 Olympics, he boldly declared, “None of them is winning. When I come off the turn, they will be depressed.” Big claims come with even bigger repercussions when things don’t go as planned.

And that was exactly what happened on the 200m Olympics track. Noah Lyles ended up finishing third behind Botswanian sprinter Letsile Tebogo. Now, when the man who just claimed the title of the fastest man in the 100m wins Bronze, all hell is bound to break loose. And it did! That’s not all; he received a lot of hate revolving around his pre-race gimmicks. Things, however, hit rock bottom when Noah had his biggest win. After winning the 100m by beating Kishane Thompson by 0.005 seconds, Lyles and his girlfriend Junelle became the target of hate from Jamaica. However, the narrative has taken a sharp turn.

Noah Lyles’ recent post celebrating the season has drawn the right kind of attention from around the world. “Athlete of the Year,” one fan proclaimed. Yes, that’s right! The track and field community is back, showering Noah with all the well-deserved love. Many went on to praise his 100m win. “All love to you, champ! You made the season truly entertaining. 100m gold after a 20-year drought for the USA was special!” That’s right—Lyles’ gold was America’s first 100m win since 2004. The tone has done a 180, and the contrast is striking.

Once trolled for his pre-race gimmicks and warm-ups, the same X family is now acknowledging his impact on track and field itself. “Thank you! You were exciting and have brought many to the sport who otherwise would never have been interested,” another admirer wrote. The dramatic shift is turning out to be the result of the very authenticity that received hate. With one fan putting it right by saying Noah is now “Standing on business.” Business is for the fastest man. But it is not without the potful of expectations from the fandom.

The tables have turned, and the fandom has a bigger mission for Noah Lyles!

While many are happy and celebrating the wins alongside Noah, the support of some from the fandom emerges from knowing that Lyles has the potential to do more. One fan went on to set the mission, writing, “Gonna get that gold in the 200m next year. Oh wait. I mean next next next next year,” said one fan, reminding him of losses that sting. But he is also pushing towards that 200m Gold that seems to elude him in two Olympic seasons!

Paris 2024 wasn’t the first time that the 200m Gold has slipped right through his fingers. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics finals, he finished third, clocking 19.74. While 2024 was supposed to be his redemption, fate had other plans for him. He was unfortunately diagnosed with COVID-19, leading to poor performance and even him pulling out of the Diamond League finals. Despite it all, 2024 was still a season to remember for Noah.

Lyles set a personal best of 9.81 in the 100m at the Diamond League. He also clocked 19.77 in the 200m, which is the fastest time into a headwind of 1.6 m/s this year. Lyles seems ready to take on any challenge thrown his way. And fans were quick to note the same. Some even suggest that he needs a new goal that truly challenges him. “Excellent season, bro! Maybe time to dedicate to the 400m, nothing left to prove in 100m/200m,” wrote a fan.

As the 2024 season comes to an end, all eyes are on Lyles to see where the fastest man will choose to shine. Will he work to be faster than Kishane Thompson to keep his 100m title? Or will he focus on settling his Botswanian rivalry in style on the 200m track? Regardless of what the coming year holds, as one fan rightly puts it, “You did well, Noah. Time to recharge the batteries.” And recharge he must!

As one fan rightly pointed out, the season has been “Historical!”. Regardless of what the noises have to say, after a 9.79 100m finish, he is the “FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD!”. And there, as another fan rightly put it, “No objection” about it! As Noah Lyles takes a rest, he will be back next on for the homeland Olympics in 2028. Lyles is thriving, and as a fan rightly summarised it, “We love to see it”!