Noah Lyles wants to transcend sprinting. And he has entered the Paris Olympics with an air of confidence—and controversy-seeking.
In his first public comments in Paris, the two-time reigning world sprint champion defended his claim to be the “fastest man in the world”.
“I am,” Lyles said at a news conference Monday. “I always will be.”
Lyles was criticized for tagging himself with the nickname after Team USA posted a video to their social channels over the weekend. Speaking from the opening ceremony on the Seine River, the 27-year-old Lyles turned to the camera and said, “What’s up, Team USA? This is Noah Lyles, the fastest man in the world, and we’re here in Paris preparing for our world tour, introducing America to the Olympics.”
The comment was met with backlash from the sprinting community, as Lyles’ fastest 100m time of the year (9.81 seconds) is less than that of Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson (9.77). Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala has also run a faster time in 2024, running 9.79 in June – a faster time than Lyles has ever run.
But Lyles says the “fastest” tag belongs to titleholders, not the stopwatch. “I want to address the comments about the ‘fastest man’ title,” Lyles said in a video posted to YouTube. “The ‘fastest man’ and ‘fastest woman’ titles are awarded annually to the winners of the 100 meters at the world championships. I won the men’s 100 meters at the 2023 world championships, and Sha’Carri [Richardson] won in the women’s category.
“We do not wish to disrespect or discredit any previous records or times set in the new season. This is simply how the title is determined. If another man or woman wins the 100m at this year’s World Championships, they will take over the title. I hope this clarifies the issue for those who had questions.”
Three-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, who won gold in the 200 meters at the 1996 Olympics, says the title is a matter of opinion.
“Some Facts”, Johnson wrote on X. “Usain is the fastest ever. PERIOD. Noah is the world champion. PERIOD. Marcel is the Olympic champion. PERIOD. Kishane has the fastest time in the world. PERIOD. Everything else is opinion, and opinions are not facts!”
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Some facts:
Usain is the fastest ever. PERIOD
Noah is world champion. PERIOD
Marcel is Olympic champion. PERIOD
Kishane has the fastest time in the world. PERIOD
Everything else is opinion, and opinions are not facts!
Another fact, since this is X: Michael is old and AF slow!—Michael Johnson (@MJGold) July 27, 2024
Lyles will compete in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays in Paris, and he continues to lobby for a spot on the 4x400m relay team. At last year’s world championships in Budapest, Lyles won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays. But he has been criticized by Tokyo silver medalist Fred Kerley for campaigning for a spot on the longer relay team.
Kerley accused the US Athletic Federation of showing favouritism to Lyles, who was part of the 4x400m team that won silver at the indoor world championships in Glasgow. The line-up for the 4x400m relay in Paris has yet to be confirmed.
Lyles will kick off his bid for a first Olympic gold on Saturday, starting with the 100m preliminary rounds at the Stade de France. The men’s 100m final is on August 4 and the 200m final is on August 8.