Have you ever thought about how powerful it is just to make it to the Olympics? Like winning a medal or no medal, the moment you’re there, you’re officially an Olympian. That title alone is massive. So, what does it take to truly thrive on that stage? It’s not just talent; it’s confidence and the ability to block out the haters. Look at Noah Lyles. People said stuff like, “He doesn’t deserve this kind of attention,” but he didn’t flinch. His confidence never wavered, and that’s what makes him stand out. Though he was trolled about his brashness, at that level, confidence is not arrogance but survival. Remember his words before the Olympics?

Right before the Paris Olympics, the most anticipated race was Noah Lyles vs. Usain Bolt, and there was so much sense in it. He was not hesitant in making big statements when he told everyone that he would take home four gold medals. But when the Games came around, he walked away with just one gold. You’d think the backlash would be brutal, and yeah, the trolls came for him. But here’s the twist—his teammate stood by him, backing up his confidence and supporting his vision months later.

Noah Lyles’ confidence led him to victory

On January 16, 2025, Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin were guests on the Beyond The Records Podcast, where they had an in-depth conversation with Coby Cotton about Lyles’ gold-medal performance in the 100m at the Paris Olympics. Lyles discussed that unforgettable night at the Stade de France, where he won the race by just five-thousandths of a second (9.784 to 9.789) over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson. The race was quite keen, and Lyles attributed his victory to confidence and self-belief.

“So many people are like, ‘Oh, you know, he’s not a great starter. He’s not going to be able to win,” Lyles shared. “When you’re by yourself, there’s nobody else that can help you. It is you and you alone, and you have to have that unbelievable faith that this moment was made for you.” Rai Benjamin, a close teammate and supporter, emphasized how important confidence is, especially in track and field. “I always told people in track and field you have to have, like, an unhealthy amount of self-confidence. I can see that, and a sense of, um, narcissism,” Benjamin said. “Yeah, like, in order to be good, and especially in the 100, you have to be that way.”

Benjamin went on to explain how, when Lyles entered the stadium, the energy was already electric, and he could feel that Lyles was ready. “When Noah came out that stadium and the Noah vs. Kishane drama, he, like, jumped around and they started cheering,” he added. “Just give him the medal now.”

Coby Cotton, observing from an outsider’s perspective, added that this kind of mentality extends beyond track and field. “For those guys to be good, it’s got to be full-on arrogant.” Cotton noted that while it might seem like arrogance, it’s actually a vital part of the mentality needed to succeed at the highest level. To be truly great, you have to walk into any competition fully confident that you’re the best. But now the question arises: why Lyles was not able to take 4 medals home! Well, the reason was genuine!

Lyles quietly chasing Usain Bolt’s legacy

Noah Lyles running a 200m race at the 2024 Olympics was a memorable feat on its own, but then there was the fact that he actually ran the race having contracted COVID-19 shortly before the competition. He later decided not to take part in the 4x100m relay but still felt he could compete in the 200m final. This made some people bow in awe, especially with the backdrop that he still won a bronze medal. Not bad, given that he was going through the impact of the virus at the time.

Before the race, Lyles had been pretty vocal about his goals. He wasn’t shy about saying he was going to not only win the 200m but break Usain Bolt’s 200m world record. He even said his competitors would be “depressed” when he hit that final stretch. Well, it didn’t exactly go as he imagined, but it definitely made people wonder: Could Lyles actually break Bolt’s records one day? Lyles has never shied away from big goals, and when asked about possibly breaking Bolt’s 100m record, he said, “I’m trying to get it done as soon as possible… Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t give you an exact date.”

Certainly, Lyles’ personal best in the 100m right now is 9.79, making him only the 12th fastest man of all time. Taking down Bolt’s 9.58 seconds may seem like an impossibility, but if anyone is going to attempt it, it will have to be Lyles. He has already made history for himself, with six world championships, one Olympic gold, and two Olympic bronzes to his credit. During the Paris, he demonstrated what it will take to be a winner.