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The American sprinter has stood by his words that Noah Lyles has changed athletics for the better, more than legends like Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Co.
American sprinter Rai Benjamin insists Noah Lyles has been a bigger influence on track and field than legendary Jamaican Usain Bolt and others during his era.
Benjamin lauded Lyles early this week for being a great “game changer” in track and field due to his outgoing personality, stunts and controversial statements.
The Olympics 400m hurdles champion feels Lyles has elevated track and field to levels never witnessed before, making people beyond athletics to take notice and follow keenly, something even Bolt never managed to do.
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16:24 - 22.08.2024
‘Dude changed the game forever’ - Rai Benjamin gives Noah Lyles his flowers
Olympics 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin has lauded Noah Lyles for lifting the standards of track and field due to his outgoing personality and outspokenness.
“A lot of people came up through the ranks, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Yohane Blake but I think the level of attention that track and field now has because of who Noah is as a person, just his ability to bring the masses outside in track and field,” Benjamin told Sports Centre.
“Like the entire NBA was truly tuned in [into the Olympics] to see what could happen so the level of attention he [Lyles] has brought into the sport I feel like it has been phenomenal. Nothing like I have ever seen before in previous years.
“We have had some pretty great people come through the sport but the level of attention he has brought to the sport in less than a year, last six months, is unreal.”
Lyles has been the subject of discussion on various platforms due to his comments on a number of issues and the one that riled fans more was when he said NBA players should not be calling themselves ‘world champions’ for winning a title.
He continued to draw both praise and criticism at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he won the 100m, gold but failed to claim victory in 200m, despite telling his rivals that they would be “depressed” prior to the race, managing third place, after which he announced that he had was suffering from COVID-19.
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