For track and field athletes, winning at the Tokyo Olympics seemed bland without the essence of their spectators. They competed in empty stadiums, as a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases had led the Japanese authorities to rule out the live audience. Although necessary, this decision appears to have had an impact on players, even decorated record holders like Noah Lyles, who only ended up winning a 200m bronze.

As per TIME magazine, Lyles has recently recalled his Tokyo Olympics experience. He confirms, “I was half-motivated.” Further describing the ambiance of the stadium, he added, “I feel like we just walked into an empty room, and they said, ‘Fight.'” Evidently, this reflected in his results, as Lyles who was a favorite in the 200 category, took home just a bronze medal.

Corroborating Lyles’ words, his sports psychologist Diana McNab presented a few crucial insights. She affirmed that he was looking in good shape on the track, while also reflecting on his prescription. She said, “Lyles started taking Zoloft, which lifted his cloud that summer, but weaned himself off the antidepressant going into the next track season. Also, she recalled his world-leading 200m sprint at the trials for the postponed Tokyo Olympics, whilst suggesting that he “was the clear favorite for Olympic gold.” 

However, she went ahead to shed light on the difficulties he faced at zero hour, in Tokyo. Diana brought to notice that when Lyles got to the games, his knee started to swell up. Adding to that, “…there were no fans in the stands to provide electricity.” She then related it with Lyles’ personality, which she has a solid grasp about as his psychologist. She said, “Noah thrives on crowds… He’s a performance athlete, meaning he loves the limelight, he loves showtime.” And since “There was none of that in Tokyo. So he was a fish without water.”  

Apparently, Lyles could not channel the much-needed dose of energy as he would do in an otherwise bustling stadium. Besides, these clarifications have resurfaced Lyles’s mental health struggles post the 2020 Olympics. Let’s have a look at how the six-time world champion battled that phase.

Recalling Noah Lyles’ fight against depression

COVID-19 engendered a difficult phase for many and Noah Lyles was no exception. The athlete found it difficult to cope with the delayed Olympics timeline due to the pandemic. Moreover, isolation from his loved ones made it an even more tumultuous ride. He even confessed that he broke down in front of his girlfriend before leaving for Tokyo. “Just talking about how hard it was to get through this year” brought tears to his eyes. Moreover, he took to his X account to announce that he had been taking antidepressants.

However, Lyles has recently spoken how those days are behind him. In an interview with NBC Washington, he said, “I’m not depressed, for sure. The pills are in the past…Thankfully, I’m not coming off antidepressants [this time].” The athlete seems confident that he has made great progress from the troublesome phase. Hopefully, with packed stands, great form, and his improved mental health, Lyles can ace his performance at the Paris Olympics. What do you think? Lets us know in the comments.