'I like to be pop, I like to be blinding' - Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles on swagger, style & self-belief

'I like to be pop, I like to be blinding' - Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles on swagger, style & self-belief

Festus Chuma 14:32 - 03.11.2024

Olympic champion Noah Lyles fuses fashion with athleticism, creating a distinct "rock-star track star" persona as he captivates audiences, redefining the limits of speed and self-expression.

Olympics 100m champion Noah Lyles is a man who dominates the track as much with his style as he does with his speed.

On a sultry August evening in Paris, Lyles stormed to victory in front of an at-capacity Stade de France crowd, becoming the 'fastest man alive' by a nail-biting margin.

But it was not just his lightning-fast legs that captured attention—it was his undeniable swagger, his edgy fashion choices, and the larger-than-life presence that makes him the electric showman he is today.

Lyles is more than an athlete; he is a performer, a true “rock-star track star.”

Draped in pearls woven through his cornrows, diamonds glinting on his chain-link necklace, and wearing a custom Omega Speedmaster Apollo 8, he cuts a figure that’s impossible to ignore.

The 27-year-old has built an aesthetic that blends athleticism with artistry, drawing from icons like Muhammad Ali and Mick Jagger.

And in his post-race reflections, Lyles remains as much about the craft of creating an unforgettable image as he is about setting records.

“My style is rock star track star,” Lyles says proudly, breaking into a confident smile in an interview with The Telegraph.

“I like to be different, I like to be pop, I like some aspect of the outfit to be like, ‘Wow, OK, that guy’s blinding me a little.’ I want that rock-star effect.”

Lyles has a natural affinity for style, a passion that’s grown stronger as he’s made his mark on the international sports stage.

“I like things a little edgy, let’s get a little experimental. I see style as an extension of myself,” he says.

And he is not kidding: on the day of his victory, his look was polished down to the smallest details. His manicure, for example, had a distinct message—his nails were painted white with letters spelling out “ICON” in bold blue.

But fashion was not always part of his life. Growing up in Gainesville, Florida, style was a secondary concern to “surviving school and getting outside to run.”

It was only when he started observing the bold looks of black male musicians from the mid-2000s, like A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Tyler, the Creator, that his own style curiosity was sparked.

“I liked the way A$AP, Travis [Scott], Pharrell, and Tyler were dressing, and wanted to get a little edgy, a little exotic, a little brighter and more colourful,” he explains.

And Lyles has taken this inspiration further, stepping into fashion realms often unexplored by other athletes.

He has worn pieces from designers like Stella McCartney and edgy, cult brands like Who Decides War, sporting their neon sweaters with strategic cut-outs that showcase his toned physique.

The result is a man who isn not just an athlete but an artist, carefully crafting an image that speaks to his inner confidence and competitive spirit.

When it comes to pre-race rituals, Lyles combines his love for style with focus-building routines, such as a specific playlist, a particular way of tying his shoes, and, always, a prayer in the morning.

“I tell myself that nothing has to be forced, nothing has to be perfect," he noted.

The watch is another critical piece of his self-styling armor as his partnership with Omega, the official timekeeper of the Olympics, goes beyond aesthetics; it is about being aligned with brands that match his level of dominance.

“They noticed me when I was rising through the ranks, and they saw something in me,” he says.

“I wanted to make sure that I was a dominant figure, and a dominant figure needs dominant brands to go with him.”

Ultimately, when he is on the track, the world melts away, and all that is left is his goal: to run faster, to push his limits.

“You get this tunnel vision that means you’re not aware of what your opponents are doing. Nothing is going to be gained by knowing what anyone else is doing. You have to know yourself and that you’re going to do what you set out to do,” he explains.

“I need to move faster, this is it, we’re ready to go faster now. Faster, faster, faster than yourself, than what you thought you were capable of. I will make this happen.”

And make it happen he does. For Lyles, victory is as much about self-expression as it is about athletic prowess.

As he strides onto the track, he knows he looks his best, feels his best, and, ultimately, performs at his best.

“This is going to be big, but it’s also going to be fun, because I’m going to look my best and feel my best."

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