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American sprinter Noah Lyles, often hailed as the world’s fastest man, surprisingly missed a spot in the Track Athlete of the Year finals, raising questions about his brand and future legacy.
On Monday night, World Athletics unveiled its two male finalists for the prestigious Track Athlete of the Year award with a surprise omission—Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.
Despite clinching gold in the 100m at the Paris Olympics in August and securing bronze in the 200m while battling COVID-19, Lyles was overlooked in favor of Botswana's Letsile Tebogo and Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen, both Olympic champions in their respective events.
For Lyles, this announcement marks a moment of disappointment in an otherwise stellar year, raising questions about what the omission means for his brand as one of the world’s top sprinters and a global sports personality.
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05:00 - 04.11.2024
'He got me this time' - Junelle Bromfield left speechless as fiancé Noah Lyles surprises her with luxurious new house
Jamaican sprint queen Junelle Bromfield was left in awe after her fiancé Noah Lyles, the Olympics 100m champion, surprised her with a luxurious new house following their engagement.
Lyles has long cultivated an image that goes beyond his remarkable speed creating him one of the most recognizable faces in track and field.
With his dynamic presence both on and off the track Lyles has positioned himself as an icon, appealing to a younger generation with his engaging social media presence, outspoken views, and distinctive style.
Known for his infectious personality and authentic connection with fans, Lyles has demonstrated an ability to bridge athletics with popular culture.
He made headlines last summer with bold statements challenging NBA players’ use of the term “world champions,” suggesting that athletes should earn the title on a global stage.
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19:00 - 04.11.2024
Faith Kipyegon snubbed as final list of nominees for 2024 World Athlete of the Year awards are announced
Faith Kipyegon will not be defending her Women's Track Athlete of the Year title despite shattering the 1500 meter World & Olympic record, as well as complete a hat-trick of Olympic gold medals in that event.
His competitive spirit and willingness to speak his mind have not only gained him fans worldwide but also a broader relevance beyond athletics—a quality that can be vital in a sport that sometimes struggles for visibility.
World Athletics’ decision to omit Lyles from the final nominations, however, puts a dent in his momentum, especially as he was aiming for the rare “sprint double” at the Olympics—a feat achieved by only the most elite sprinters in history.
He narrowly missed out on the 200m title in Paris, coming in third to Tebogo and his American teammate Kenny Bednarek.
Lyles later revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of that race but chose to compete, an impressive feat in itself.
Yet, as the final nominations were unveiled, he found himself sidelined.
“The top two leading athletes in each category—track, field and out-of-stadium—have been chosen from the first round of voting, which comprised votes from the World Athletics Council, World Athletics Family, and a public vote on social media,” read a statement from World Athletics.
“One of these two athletes will take the crown in their category.”
Fans have expressed surprise at Lyles’ absence, given his undeniable achievements this year.
The fact that Tebogo and Ingebrigtsen were selected instead signals a move by World Athletics to highlight versatile talents across a range of distances.
Tebogo made history by becoming the first African to win an Olympic 200m title, while Ingebrigtsen continues to dominate the middle-distance events, cementing Norway’s presence in global athletics.
But for Lyles, the missed nomination is more than a career setback—it is a lost opportunity to further leverage his brand at a time when track and field is competing for global attention.
Being crowned Track Athlete of the Year brings with it a heightened spotlight, sponsorship opportunities, and the chance to expand a personal brand on a global platform.
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10:53 - 05.11.2024
‘They gave him that time’ - Fred Kerley trashes Noah Lyles’ record as he welcomes one-on-one showdown with him
Olympics 100m bronze medalist Fred Kerley has stocked up the fires once more after trashing one of Noah Lyles’ impressive records while welcoming a 1v1 showdown with him.
For an athlete like Lyles, whose brand hinges not only on speed but on his larger-than-life personality, this would have been another invaluable credential.
In a new twist this year, World Athletics announced that the final winners will be chosen through a second round of fan voting, which will run until November 10.
“Now, in a new addition to this year’s awards, a final round of voting—cast by fans of the sport—will take place between Nov 4 and 10 to decide who the overall World Athlete of the Year is,” the statement continued.
Though Lyles will not be in contention this year he remains a dominant force in athletics.
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17:00 - 02.11.2024
'My mom grew up dirt poor- Gabby Thomas reveals how her mother’s struggles shaped her path to Olympic glory
Gabby Thomas opens up about her mother’s inspiring resilience, sharing how it fueled her path to triple Olympic gold in Paris.
His combination of talent, charisma, and drive keeps him in the global sports spotlight, regardless of formal recognition.
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