Noah Lyles is the biggest star in track and field since Usain Bolt. Not only is the 27-year-old American sprinter on the cusp of breaking the legendary Jamaican’s world records, his personality is larger than life.
He is boisterous and confident to the point that it can ready as cocky or arrogant.
And that’s a good thing. Lyles’ hubris is a large part of what drives him — a genuine belief that he is the best in the world who cannot be beat. Sprinters are a different breed in that way and, often times, the most “obnoxious” or “narcissistic” characters in the sport are the best.
Lyles is not the exception. He expects to win the gold medal in both the 100- and 200-meter events in Paris over the next seven days, and there are a lot of people consider his antics to be over-the-top.
You either love Lyles or you hate Lyles. Americans typically fall in the former category, but the rest of the world likely leans toward the latter. He’s the perfect superstar with a hint of heel.
However, Lyles was humbled in his opening race of the Olympics on Saturday morning.
Louie Hinchliffe of Great Britain beat him out in the first 100-meter event of the week. The 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field national champion won the heat that Lyles was supposed to dominate by .06 seconds.
Lyles, who is rarely modest in victory, was extremely humble in surprising defeat.
These boys said they ain’t coming to play. And I guess that’s my first lesson in underestimating the power of an Olympics. When somebody’s on the line, they say they’re going to give it their all or nothing.
The plan was first. But it didn’t happen. Second is fine. We’ll make sure from here on out it’s first.
— Noah Lyles
Fortunately, the loss is fairly irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. It was still a major reality check.
Lyles will not take anyone lightly in the semifinal round on Sunday after getting beat on Saturday.
Now I don’t have to hold back!
— Noah Lyles
This surprising result might be the best case scenario for the United States star. Noah Lyles came into the weekend thinking that the path to a gold medal would not be easy, but straightforward. That is not the case and he will have to recalibrate in his quest to finish atop the podium. Good.