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The Olympic champion remains a divisive figure in athletics with as much admirers and critiques.
Olympic champion Noah Lyles remains one of the most polarizing figures in athletics. Loved by many for his passion and confidence and criticized by others for perceived arrogance, Lyles continues to dominate the sport while staying true to his bold persona.
In a recent revelation on LetsRundotcom, Lyles shared why he remains undeterred by the backlash he often receives, particularly on social media.
"I noticed it after 2022. I knew this day was always going to come just because once you start winning too much, they want a new face," Lyles explained.
The reigning world champion reflected on the shift in public sentiment, which he attributes to his success.
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11:54 - 25.11.2024
'I'm definitely out of shape' - Olympic champion Noah Lyles battles tough start in return to training after long off-season
Olympic champion Noah Lyles will be looking to build on his Paris Olympics success in 2025 even as he struggles to back to peak conditions.
He noted that as new talents like Erriyon Knighton and Letsile Tebogo emerged, public attention momentarily shifted, only to circle back when he reaffirmed his dominance.
"I beat Erriyon, then it became Letsile, and after that, I said, ‘I don’t want just the 200 anymore, I want the 100.’ So now I’m coming after everybody else’s title, and they’re like, ‘Well, you’re not a 100m runner, why are you disrespecting the 100?’ Then I win, and they’re like, ‘Yeah, we don’t like that,’" Lyles recounted.
His confidence, often mistaken for arrogance, is rooted in his unwavering commitment to his craft.
"I’m not saying anything I’m not doing. If I say something, I’m going to put my 100% into it," he asserted.
Lyles also highlighted the disconnect between online criticism and real-life interactions. While social media platforms like X (formerly twitter) amplify negative voices, Lyles emphasized that the digital sphere represents only a fraction of the world’s population.
"There are over six billion people in the world, and there’s not even a billion people on social media. I’ve never run into a situation in public where somebody said, ‘Yeah, I don’t like you.’ At worst, people might say, ‘You’re not my taste, but I respect you because you put it down,’" he said.
For Lyles, the digital criticism pales in comparison to the overwhelming respect and admiration he encounters in person.
"Social media is just a small image of you. In real life, it’s completely different," he added.
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09:32 - 27.11.2024
'It was only a matter of time'- Noah Lyles insists why he was unruffled by Letsile Tebogo's fast times
Noah Lyles has revealed why he was not shocked about Letsile Tebogo's explosive times as he insisted on why he is still the man to beat in the 200m.
Despite the noise, Lyles remains focused on expanding his legacy. His decision to compete in both the 100m and 200m showcases his hunger for new challenges and his refusal to be boxed into a single category.
With his sights set on further success in 2025, Lyles continues to embrace both the praise and criticism that come with his ambition.
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