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Noah Lyles has represented the US with flying colours but admits there's not much to be desired being black in the country.
Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles has revealed that he often has mixed feelings about representing his native country, the United States.
Lyles, who often appears to wear the red, white and blue of the Star-Spangled US banner with pride especially after winning major races, added that he dons the colours with a 'heavy heart'.
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"I’m American, and I truly believe that we are the best in the world, especially when it comes to sports. But at the same time, it’s with a heavy heart, because being black in America, there’s a lot to deal with. I’m not going to go into everything, but it’s not easy. It’s hard to love the country that sometimes doesn’t love you back," Lyles told Fox News as quoted by TalkSport.
Lyles said as much as this is conflicting, he has always given his best on and off the track and has fought hard for the badge.
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"At the same time, you always want to put your best foot forward. So, it’s a little contradicting, it's with a heavy heart, but it still makes you feel extremely proud because you are an American," he insisted.
After his gold medal in Paris, the sprinting sensation hopes to win 200m and 4x100m in order to match the achievement of the legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
Lyles, who is a six-time world champion, only settled for bronze in 200m in Paris, as Botswana's finest, Letsile Tebogo, ran away with gold. The last time a male athlete won all three of these events at the Olympics was Bolt in 2016, making clear just why there is so much excitement surrounding 27-year-old Lyles.
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