Noah Lyles’ path to his ambitious goal of “all the Olympic medals” at the Paris Games runs through Glasgow this weekend, with the top American sprinter seeking glory in the 60m at the world indoor championships.
Lyles is a six-time world outdoor champion and last year became the first sprinter to win the 100-200m world double since Usain Bolt in 2015.
Bolt’s retirement in 2017 left a gaping hole in the heart of athletics, but Lyles isn’t shy about trying to claim the mantle of fastest man on earth, which comes with untold riches and fame.
Lyles heads to Scotland on the back of his first US indoor track and field title and a multi-million dollar contract renewal with German sportswear brand Adidas, said to be second only to Bolt with Puma.
But the American’s stock cannot be said to be exactly the same as Bolt’s.
Importantly, Lyles does not have an Olympic title to his name and Bolt still holds the world records in both the 100m and 200m.
Ever the showman, Lyles earlier this month captured the US title over domestic rival Christian Coleman in a personal best of 6.43 seconds.
“I’m not going to say I’m shocked, but I’m very proud of myself, it’s been eight years in the making,” Lyles said.
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Outdoor fireworks
The 26-year-old sees the indoor competition as the perfect opportunity to improve his start — which he considers the weakest link in his skill set — in time for the Olympics.
“This is a wrap, I’m just excited to run this fast consistently,” Lyles said after his win over Coleman.
“This is my weakest event, so come out, wow fireworks!”
Lyles boasts personal bests of 9.83s and 19.31s for the 100m and 200m. compared to Bolt’s world records of 9.58 and 19.19.
Bolt’s efforts both came at the 2009 world championships in Berlin, a year after the Jamaican had set previous bests of 9.63 and 19.30 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to make people sit up and take notice.
“Last year I went out there and won three gold medals,” said a defiant Lyles.
“This year I want to get four. And if I don’t get four, I’ll be chasing three world records.
“If I don’t make it, I’ll try, try, try again.”
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As an athlete whose passions also include fashion, Lyles sports an exquisite piece of bling: a diamond ring emblazoned with the letters ‘WC’ within a red track, with his name engraved next to 2023, in a similar fashion to the flamboyant rings worn NFL Super Bowl Winners.
Lyles’ new deal with Adidas has been described as “the richest contract in the sport of track and field since Usain Bolt’s retirement”.
It means the American will wear the company’s apparel and tops until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
It also underlines Lyles’ financial value to the brand, although he has a long way to go to match the earning potential of Bolt, who had sponsors lined up as he won six individual Olympic gold medals (three in the 100m and three in the 200m ) and two relay golds.
That could change if the American starts his 2024 international season with a world title in the 60m indoor track, with three more golds at the Paris Olympics.
Track and field remains a minority sport in the United States, but there’s nothing Americans like more than Olympic glory to cement an athlete’s career.