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Lyles was reduced to tears midway through the US national anthem during the medal ceremony after cllinching the 100m world title in Budapest back in 2023.
Noah Lyles has opened up about the intense emotions that overcame him during the medal ceremony after his historic 100m victory at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Speaking on the Netflix series SPRINT, Lyles revealed the personal and professional pressures that led to his tearful display on the podium.
The 100m gold marked Lyles’ first global title in the event, silencing doubters who questioned his prowess in the shorter sprint distance. Known primarily for his dominance in the 200m, Lyles’ triumph in Budapest underscored his versatility and cemented his place among the sport’s elite.
As the U.S. national anthem played and the gold medal was placed around his neck, Lyles struggled to contain his emotions. Reflecting on the moment, Lyles said:
“I can’t get through this national anthem. It was just the stress I was putting on myself to get through this moment.”
The sprinter credited fellow competitor Zharnel Hughes, who had won bronze, for helping him maintain his composure.
“If Zharnel didn’t come and hug me, I would have fallen to my knees,” Lyles admitted, underscoring how critical that gesture of camaraderie was in such an intense moment.
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Since that emotional day in Budapest, Lyles has worked on managing his feelings during major championship moments. During the medal ceremony for the 100m at the Olympics, where he narrowly edged Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by a mere 0.005 seconds, Lyles was composed and smiling, demonstrating his growth in handling high-pressure situations.
In SPRINT, Lyles also shared his approach to racing at the highest level, describing the mental preparation required to excel.
“You have to have the mindset of a god to be able to think you’re going to race. Believe me, that is what you have to have,” Lyles explained.
Preparation is the foundation of his confidence. “By the time I get to the championship, I’ve done everything I possibly could to prepare for this moment, so I just have to trust my body to do it.”
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Despite his confidence, the moments leading up to a race are filled with nervous energy.
“I am very jittery and containing it all in one moment so that when the gun goes off, you just do what your body does. As soon as the gun goes off, it is exploding,” he added.
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