World and Olympic champion Noah Lyles had one of the most memorable season's as an athlete this year, with the spotlight on him both on and off track.
In an Olympic year with numerous historic and record-breaking performances by athletes, Noah Lyles cemented his position in the exceptional elite league by ending the season as the world's fastest man.
The American speedster had a rollercoaster 2024 season to be proud of on and off track, highlighted by becoming the Olympic 100m champion, as well as bridging the gap away from his track duties as the 'villain' and most controversial athlete in his attempt to transcend the sport for global audience.
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18:01 - 28.09.2024
'I'm always going to focus on marketing' - Noah Lyles talks on athletics future in 10 years, support from Carl Lewis and Usain Bolt
Speedster Noah Lyles opened up on the future of athletics, having the support from track legends Carl Lewis and Usain Bolt, and why athletes need to start thinking outside performances.
Noah Lyles' memorable 2024 season's exploits
INDOORS
Lyles gave a tip on what to expect for the rest of the season when he powered to a new Personal Best (PB) of 6.44s to win the men's 60m event at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.
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He backed this up with a blazing run to win his first US 60m title over World Record (WR) holder Christian Coleman, lowering his PB to 6.43s, thus making a bold statement on his intentions to dominate the men's sprint in all events for the season.
His first global medal of the year came at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, where he settled for the silver medal behind Coleman in 6.44s as the WR holder clocked a world-leading time of 6.41s. Lyles also anchored the US 4x400m relay squad to a silver medal, proving his versatility to succeed in whatever sprint event he takes up.
OUTDOORS
Following his brilliant indoor season, the 27-year-old built on the same momentum outdoors by successfully defending his 100m title at the US Olympic trials, storming to a new PB of 9.83s. He then completed the sprint double with a blistering run of 19.53s to win the 200m title and head to Paris as the top favourite for the Olympic gold medals in both events.
However, before the Paris Games, Lyles made another bold statement when he lowered his 100m PB again to 9.81s at the London Diamond League, and without casting any doubt strengthened his status as the man to beat in Paris.
With so much hype and expectations surrounding his rivalry with Jamaica's Kishane Thompson ahead of the Olympic 100m final, the American champion rose to the occasion as he powered to the gold medal in a new PB of 10.79s, edging Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second with both given the same time.
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Lyles' victory saw him become the first American sprinter to win the event since Justin Gatlin at Athens 2004 Games, and it was his first career Olympic title, despite not being his trademark event.
In addition, it was a consecutive feat to his world championships title in Budapest last year, crowned the Olympic and World champion and automatically owning the bragging rights as the world's fastest man for the year.
19:51 - 27.09.2024
Noah Lyles reveals pride on Olympic 100m gold: Stopping Jamaican dominance was the motivating factor
Olympic champion Noah Lyles opened up on the motivating factor behind his Paris Olympic success, which solely boiled down to stopping Jamaican dominance.
Not resting on his oars, Lyles competed in the 200m but to the surprise of many athletics fans succumbed to defeat by settling for the bronze medal in 19.70s, behind Letsile Tebogo and Kenny Bednarek. Shortly after crossing the finish line, he collapsed on the track and was taken off in a wheelchair. It was later confirmed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 two days prior, which affected his performance.
His positive test for COVID brought an abrupt end to his memorable Olympic outing in Paris and the end of his 2024 competition season appearances.
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21:02 - 04.09.2024
Noah Lyles breaks silence on Olympic final loss to Letsile Tebogo: A failed strategy cost me not COVID
Following Olympic final loss to Letsile Tebogo, Noah Lyles has finally opened up how a failed strategy and not listening to his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield cost him not COVID.
How Noah Lyles became the most controversial athlete in the 2024 season
Lyles has been unarguably the most controversial and talked about track and field athlete this year.
From the controversies surrounding his Olympic 100m victory to the revelation of testing positive for COVID following his 200m final loss which many said he was faking, to his 'NBA World Champion' statement made last year coming back to haunt him, and his sudden rivalry with NFL player Tyreek Hill, Lyles has given it all to be in the spotlight as one of the world's most famous sportsmen.
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11:03 - 18.08.2024
Noah Lyles vs Tyreek Hill: World's fastest man responds to 'clout chasing' Miami Dolphins star on beating him in a race
Noah Lyles' response to Tyreek Hill on beating him in a race aligns that the Miami Dolphins star is just chasing clout and if serious, he should get in touch with his agent.
Consequently, he also took his influence away from track activities by appearing in famous TV shows and podcasts, making influential public appearances such as the US Open final and New York Fashion Week, while also adding his romantic relationship with his Jamaican girlfriend Junelle Bromfield has remained one of the most talked topics in athletics this season.
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00:31 - 30.09.2024
Engagement Photos? Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield stun in gorgeous new photos wearing matching outfits
Romantic pair Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield's new photos suggests they may have taken their relationship to the next level of being engaged.
In all, no doubt, Lyles had a memorable and iconic season to remember and the expectations are up for him to raise the bar higher next season in his quest to become the greatest athlete of all time.
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