Team USA Boosts Noah Lyles’ History-Making Claim Despite His Absence From 4×400 Relay at Paris Olympic Qualifier

“I will be training specifically for the 100 and 200 and be as strong as possible in the 400,” Noah Lyles had clarified before heading to the World Athletics Relays. However, about participating in the 4x400m relay in the Bahamas, he pointed at the Glasgow World Indoor Championships fiasco being a reason to stay out of the squad. That did not stop the 26-year-old from registering the fastest split in the 4x100m relay, thereby punching the coveted Olympic ticket for Team USA. But now, Team USA’s latest IG post has added air to the million-dollar question – will Noah Lyles feature in the 4x400m relay in Paris? 

According to the post, it seems to be ‘yes’. The post manifested hope in Noah “to win four gold medals at one Olympic Games since 1984.” Referring to Noah’s sprint treble in Budapest, the post also pointed out that it was an achievement since Usain Bolt did that in 2015. However, the performance of the USA relay squad in the Bahamas might also fuel Noah’s inclusion in the team. 

In the Bahamas, the Team USA squad went on smoothly to gain qualification standards in the relay events from the men, women, and mixed categories. But not in the 4x400m men’s relay squad. The American bunch had initially been disqualified in the event because of a rookie mistake of Champion Allison that cost the team heavily.

While waiting to take over the relay baton from Christopher Bailey, Allison tried to exchange his position with his Japanese opponent allotted to the athletes by the tournament officials. Later, the team earned the marks in the Repechage round. This incident might call for adding more experienced athletes to the squad for the ultimate showdown in Paris, and Noah is one of the most prominent faces in that. Notably, there is no bar as far as the rules are concerned.

“Well, the way that the rules are set up now is anybody who’s actually on the team can be in the relay,” Noah himself had said explaining the rules. To top it off, Noah had asserted, “I am the best in shape I’ve ever been in my life. And I know I’ve been saying that for the past two years, but it’s very true.” Despite that, relays have been a mixed bag for Noah lately. Let’s take a look.

Noah Lyles keeps on pushing in the relay events 

In the 4x400m sprinting event, Noah Lyles shot to fame rapidly, unlike his individual events. Noah Lyles stands taller when it comes to generating the mid-race pace. In the last several contests, the has been evident. In the Bahamas World Relays, Noah edged opponents like Filippo Tortu, Rohan Watson, and Jerome Blake in the 4x100m event to save the day for the American side, sprinting in the anchor leg.

But in the Glasgow World Indoor Championship, the treble winner didn’t perform in the anchor leg. Despite pulling off the fastest split, the USA squad lost the 4x400m bet to Belgium who rode on Alexander Doom’s brilliance in the anchor position. But in his previous outdoor attempt at the 4x400m event, Noah Lyles came victorious with a known formula. 

In the 2023 Pepsi Florida Relays, Noah Lyles tried the 4x400m event eyeing for Olympic preparation. There as well, the 6-time world champion hit the track in the anchor leg, bringing the top podium. So, Noah Lyles may not generate a fast start like compatriot Christian Coleman or China’s Su Bingtian. But he has the unmatched mid-race speed that has no answer from his opponents. Team USA must have factored that in. After all, it becomes all the more crucial in a relay event. Are you also among those who see this as a justification for Noah’s inclusion in the squad?