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Noah Lyles has spoken out about facing criticism and receiving support from legendary athletes amid ongoing scrutiny of his personality.
Triple world champion Noah Lyles has always embraced the spotlight whether it is for his bold personality or his electrifying speed on the track.
However, during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the outspoken sprinter found himself facing waves of criticism on social media where some labeled him as arrogant.
Lyles, who had set his sights on winning three gold medals in the French capital, came home with two podium finishes—gold in the men’s 100m and bronze in the 200m.
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While his achievements were nothing short of remarkable, the American athlete faced backlash for his decision to withdraw from the men’s 4x100m relay after testing positive for COVID-19.
Lyles admitted that enduring both the physical and mental challenges of the Olympics was no easy feat, but amidst the storm of negativity, he found solace in the words of two legendary athletes: Carl Lewis and Usain Bolt.
“It’s very nice to hear,” Lyles said, speaking to Inquirer about the support he received from the track icons.
“Bolt told me the same thing. It’s nice to not have everyone criticize you constantly and call you co**y and arrogant."
Carl Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest athletes in track and field history, came to Lyles’ defense on social media.
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Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Lewis called out Lyles’ critics and praised the sprinter for his bold personality. “@LylesNoah, it may be a tough time in your life right now, but your antics and talent are why they watched your race," Lewis wrote.
"There are very few global superstars in this sport, and the masses benefit from the few... Think about how easy it is to ride just to stay quiet and win."
Usain Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, also offered his support, recognizing the difficulty of running both sprint distances at such a high-profile event.
Bolt, who previously expressed admiration for Lyles after his performance at the World Athletics Championships in 2022, praised the American for his determination and resilience.
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Lyles has always been candid about his ambitions and his larger-than-life personality, a trait that has both drawn fans to him and made him a target for online trolls.
In an interview with People, the sprinter opened up about how his outspokenness has been perceived as arrogance. Despite the criticism, Lyles remains unapologetic about who he is.
“Of course, I have a very large personality," Lyles said.
"But having people who I feel are grounded around me and having a good support system keeps me closer to, ‘Hey, I have a great talent and it is seen in the public as a great thing, but at the end of the day, I’m just a normal human being.’”
Lyles credited his support system, particularly his girlfriend, Jamaican sprinter Junelle Bromfield, and his mother, for helping him stay grounded during the intense pressure of major events like the World Championships and the Olympics.
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He acknowledged that while he enjoys the spotlight it is the people closest to him who remind him to remain humble amid the noise.
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