Noah Lyles is making waves in the world of athletics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he zoomed to gold in the men’s 100m final, clocking an incredible 9.79 seconds, just barely beating out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a nail-biting photo finish. It wasn’t just about snagging that shiny medal; it really put Lyles on the map as a powerhouse in track and field.

But let’s be real—despite all the accolades, there’s still one name that hangs over everything: Usain Bolt. His world records have been like unmovable mountains for more than ten years now, and his legacy? Well, it’s huge. For Lyles, the quest to be crowned the “fastest man alive” isn’t just a matter of recent wins. It’s about making a mark in the history books.

Noah Lyles vs. Usain Bolt: who’s really the fastest?

On Noah Lyles’s Beyond The Records Podcast, episode 2 premiered on 20th December on Youtube, and we must say things got a little spicy. MrBeast threw out the title of “world’s fastest man,” and Lyles, never one to back down, owned it. “I am the fastest, world’s fastest man,” he said. Then he clarified, saying, “You get it with the title of, you know, being the Olympic champion. Technically, the world’s fastest man and the fastest man alive is Usain Bolt.”

And he didn’t stop there. “But I’m the fastest American ever to live,” Lyles added, making sure to stamp his legacy as firmly as possible. “So, I have the American record, same as Rai [Benjamin]. He has the American record in the 400 hurdles. So, we’re the fastest Americans that have ever lived in humanity, which is also pretty cool. But, you know, we’re just constantly getting closer and closer to, you know, breaking world records.”

It’s not just talk; Lyles has been backing it up on the track. His American record-setting 19.31 seconds in the 200m at the 2022 World Championships placed him third in history. And that Paris 2024 gold medal? Total mic drop. Still, when you’re dealing with Usain Bolt—the guy who basically owns sprinting—it’s a tough sell. Bolt’s jaw-dropping records, 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m, haven’t budged since set in 2008. “He’s not just fast; he’s untouchable,” Lyles admitted in another interview, acknowledging the Jamaican legend’s dominance that spanned nearly a decade and included eight Olympic golds.

Lyles has made clear that he is pursuing greatness, but some fans believe the title of “world’s fastest man” should remain locked until Bolt’s records fall. This is where things get heated up. Lyles may be forging his own path, but Bolt’s legacy casts a long shadow. So how close is he really? And the actual race isn’t just against Bolt’s records; it’s also against a new wave of talent eager to take the crown.

New talents and the Race for sprinting supremacy

While Lyles is still soaking in the glory of his Olympic win, he has some serious competition on his back. The sprinting scene is buzzing with fresh talent ready to take him on. Erriyon Knighton, just 20 years old, has already clocked an impressive 19.49 seconds in the 200m, making him the youngest to break the 19.5 barrier. And then there’s Letsile Tebogo, another rising star, who blazed through with a time of 19.46 seconds, signaling that the battle for Bolt’s crown is really heating up.

At 27, Lyles is in his prime—most sprinters see this as their peak years, as Lyles himself said. Thanks to advances in sports science and recovery methods, athletes compete longer, and stars like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce still dominate well into their late 30s. Lyles is aware that time is ticking, but he has that killer instinct and feels he has plenty of time to chase his dreams.

When MrBeast asked about the “next Olympics is when you’re gonna shatter the world record, right?” Noha coolly replied, “Exactly. Okay, or whenever I just feel like.” With Paris 2024 in the rearview, the next few years are going to be crucial for Lyles to fend off these fresh challengers and see if he can finally take down Bolt’s legendary records.

So, what’s next? Can Lyles rise above the competition and finally rewrite the history books? With the next Olympics just around the corner and rivals right on his tail, Lyles has a lot on the line—and the whole world will be watching.