“So Distraught”: Despite Winning 3-Gold Medals, Noah Lyles Looked Over for Sydney McLaughlin

Noah Lyles, the track and field superstar, has lived up to the title of a standard-bearer. Having missed out on the gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 26-year-old athlete had his goals set right for Budapest this time. Furthermore, the 2023 World Athletics Championship had seen him in full glory, as Lyles cruised through to clinch three golds in his name. His historic treble included a gold in 100m, 200m, and 4x100m as well. Later in August, Noah shines the brightest at his forte, the 200m clocking 19.80s, Lyles outshined Erriyon at the last stretch. Now, another victory may be in his name, but to Noah, it would be more of a celebratory parade.

In line with Noah’s next track appearance, he mentioned another track prodigy who stands atop the podium. In a post-performance interview at the World Championships, Noah candidly mentions fans awaiting the reappearance of the GOAT, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

Noah Lyles’ mother unveils being questioned the certainty

American sprinter and hurdler Sydney McLaughlin Levrone sat out of the World Championships. After her incredible performance at the US Championships in early July, she had her hopes up for Budapest. Unfortunately, some minor knee injury dissipated her dreams. The double Olympic Champion set 4 world records over the course of 13 months, breaking her own records back-to-back. In fact, the athletic world remembers her as 2022’s World Athletics Female of the Year.

We have another worshipper of Sydney, Noah Lyles. Rather, it’s good to say that America worships Sydney and Noah alike. In a recent interview, Noah opened up about the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene to be his victory lap. Posted by FloTrack on ‘X’, they captioned the post as “Noah Lyles calls Prefontaine his victory lap #EugeneDL“.

Furthermore, he unveiled a brief conversation with his mother. After getting back home with his World Championship title, his mother said that some girls asked her, “Where is Sydney? Where is Sydney?”. To this, Noah added, “She was so distraught that Sydney wasn’t there….I was like, wow, I didn’t realise how much people just want to see you after the moment it happens..”.

Sydney’s remarkable track moments speak for themselves. It’s not unlikely that track fans fancied McLaughlin alongside Noah and Sha’Carri Richardson. Lyles initially added, “Every meet that happens after the World Championships, I see them almost as a victory lap”.

Lyles’ victory lap comeback in Eugene

Eugene conducted the World Athletics Championship 2022, where Lyles clinched gold in 200m. So, for the champion, it’s like returning to his home ground. After Budapest, Lyles admitted being tired, saying, “Of course, a fast time is always wanted, but it has been a great season. And I guess winning three gold medals is better than getting the American record. I am not going to lie, I am pretty tired”.

Later, Zurich witnessed another of his 200m gold, after which he announced, “BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND”. On the verge of withdrawing from any events after the Worlds, Noah girds up for his last race of the year.

READ MORE: Usain Bolt Smiles in Silence as 14-Year Legacy Continues After Noah Lyles’ 200M Exit at Diamond League 2023

Ahead of the Diamond League finals, Noah is training in full swing with coach Lance Brauman. Owing to his previous 100m victory, track fanatics look forward to another phenomenal display in the Diamond League final. He seals his 2023 season with this last showdown.

Watch this story: After Flaunting World Championship Medals, Noah Lyles Gets Back to Hustle Again Ahead of Prefontaine Diamond League