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Noah Lyles’ race against IShowSpeed highlighted track and field’s pay disparities while boosting the sport’s visibility, drawing millions of fans and sparking debates on athlete earnings.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has weighed in on the much-discussed 50-meter race between Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and popular streamer IShowSpeed.
Organized by YouTuber MrBeast, the race, which carried a $100,000 prize, captured the attention of fans worldwide and Gatlin believes it was a landmark moment for the sport of track and field.
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06:00 - 07.11.2024
Warning shots fired at Tyreek Hill as Noah Lyles beats You Tube star in 50m race to win $100,000
Noah Lyles has shown what he is capable of in a race against a YouTube star as he fired warning shots at Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill ahead of their clash.
Gatlin, a former Olympic champion, emphasized how the race transcended the sport's traditional audience, bringing track and field into the limelight.
"At the end of the day, this was a win for track and field, this was a win for Noah Lyles," Gatlin said on podcast Ready Set Go.
"Why? Like you said, it was a charity run for one. He got half of the charity. He got a $100K. Probably the easiest $100K he ever got which is, 'Oh, I only got to race you for a 50m. I don’t even have to show you my true speed to beat you and I come home with six figures, more than what I would in any race in season prime ready to run the fastest that I could.'"
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09:44 - 15.11.2024
‘I beat Noah but didn’t accomplish...’ - Why Kenny Bednarek was not content with just beating big-talking Noah Lyles at Olympic 200m final
Olympics 200m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek has shared how his mother's presence helped him heal from missing Olympics gold to Letsile Tebogo despite defeating serial rival Noah Lyles.
The race, streamed to millions of fans, not only showcased Lyles' speed but also highlighted the disparity in earnings for track athletes.
With Olympic gold medalists earning $37,500 from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and an additional $50,000 from World Athletics, many athletes face significant financial challenges compared to professionals in sports like the NBA and NFL.
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07:00 - 15.11.2024
'It shook my exsistence' -Why Kishane Thompson is still furious to have lost to Noah Lyles at Paris Olympic 100m final
Kishane Thompson is still unhappy with his second place finish in the final of the 100 meter race at the Paris 2024 Olympic games, where he narrowly lost to Noah Lyles, who the Jamaican believes he is 'actually faster than'.
Gatlin also praised the involvement of IShowSpeed and MrBeast, noting their massive followings played a critical role in amplifying the sport's reach.
"That was a win and the people he raced against, Speedy has millions of followers. Same thing with the referee MrBeast, millions of followers. So now, not only does he still secure the title of the fastest man in the world but also the fact that he has also gained the traction in a whole another place," he explained.
The 50-meter crash is just one instance of Lyles’ growing prominence beyond the track.
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19:47 - 08.11.2024
'No disrespect to anyone but I defeated myself' - Kishane Thompson disagrees with Fred Kerley on who deserved to clinch Olympic 100m gold
Kishane Thompson has begged to differ with Fred Kerley's opinion as to who should have been the rightful winner of the final of the 100 meter race, which was won by Noah Lyles by miliseconds.
Gatlin touched on Lyles’ engaging personality, which has led to memorable media moments, such as his ongoing banter with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
The back-and-forth has left fans eager to see a head-to-head sprint between the two, further boosting anticipation for track and field events outside of the Olympic Games and World Championships.
"You look at athletes who are in our game right now who have elevated their social media platforms and they have millions of followers now. Look at what Noah has, right? It's a fact of a lot of those people who are there, trust me bro, they don't even know Noah's personal time in the 200," Gatlin pointed out.
"They follow him because of his personality, they’re waiting for what he will say next. More people know what he said to the NBA and to Tyreek than they know his PR."
Gatlin believes such moments are crucial in filling the void during periods without major events like the Olympics.
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