Noah Lyles on why he is the rightful owner of the 'world's fastest man' title, not Usain Bolt

Noah Lyles on why he is the rightful owner of the 'world's fastest man' title, not Usain Bolt

Mark Kinyanjui 18:33 - 24.08.2024

Noah Lyles has revealed the exact time he will look to break Usain Bolt's long-standing 100 meter record while also insisting why he is the rightful owner of the 'world's fastest man' title.

Noah Lyles has vehemently defended the reason he is dubbed the ‘world’s fastest man’ just weeks after clinching gold in the 100m final of the Paris Olympic games, while also revealing ultimate aims with regards to Usain Bolt’s world record.

The debate concerning the fastest man in the world has been making rounds on social media for a while now ever since  NBC Sport penned a cryptic message while wishing Noah Lyles a happy birthday.

NBC dubbed Lyles the “fastest man on earth”, causing an uproar between fans, particularly those from Jamaica and Americans. 

Jamaicans argued that the fastest times have been posted by their athletes, with others noting that Lyles is the fastest man in America and not the whole world.

They argued that Usain Bolt was the fastest man alive, thanks to his blistering 9.58 world record that he set in 2009 in Berlin, Germany, while the Americans believe that Lyles is the fastest man given he holds both the Olympic and World 100m titles.

Speaking  as a guest on the Dan Patrick show this week, Lyles got to defend why he is the rightful owner of that title.

‘It’s me. That is what the title says,” Lyles insisted.

“We have always given the title of ‘fastest man to a world champion and an Olympic champion. It is just in the last eight to 16 years, we had Bolt. Usually, you do not always have the person that has the Olympic and world title at the same time.

“In the sport of track and field, you give that title to whoever has both the Olympic and World 100m men gold medals.”

Lyles has also harboured ambitions to one day finally break Bolt’s record in the event, even though he has previously admitted that there is a much better chance of breaking the 200m world record -also set by Bolt - instead.

“I am trying to get it done as soon as possible.Unfortunately I do not have a crystal ball so I  cannot tell you an exact date but as athletes, we are looking to improve ourselves as well as set greater challenges.

“I think everyone sees the world record as one, incredible and two, I want that to be me (the record holder.”

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