Jamaican sprint legend Veronica Campbell-Brown agrees with Noah Lyles on the mentality athletes should possess

Jamaican sprint legend Veronica Campbell-Brown agrees with Noah Lyles on the mentality athletes should possess

Mark Kinyanjui 17:41 - 08.10.2024

Campbell-Brown, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, has echoed Noah Lyles' sentiments on the mentality athletes who want to achieve their goals should have.

Jamaican sprint legend Veronica Campbell-Brown has voiced her agreement with Noah Lyles on the vital role that self-belief plays in achieving success in athletics. 

The former 100m and 200m champion echoed Lyles' sentiments on maintaining a strong mindset as a key to conquering challenges and reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

Campbell-Brown, an eight-time Olympic medallist and one of the few athletes to win world championships at youth, junior, and senior levels, understands firsthand the importance of self-confidence in elite competition. 

Cambell-Brown's storied career includes back-to-back Olympic golds in the 200 meters at the 2004 and 2008 Games, joining a select group of athletes who have achieved this feat. With personal bests of 10.76 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.74 seconds in the 200 meters, she stands as one of Jamaica’s greatest sprinters.

Lyles, the 2024 Olympic 100 meters gold medallist, has been vocal about the power of self-belief in his own journey. Known initially for his dominance in the 200 meters, where he boasts a personal best of 19.31 seconds, Lyles ventured into the highly competitive 100 meters event, going head-to-head with more seasoned sprinters like Christian Coleman, Marcell Jacobs, and Fred Kerley.

 Despite facing fierce competition, Lyles attributed his success to unwavering faith in his abilities.

“I am a firm believer in speaking things into existence,” Lyles remarked before the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, adding, “If I cannot tell that to myself, how am I going to believe that it is gonna happen?” 

Lyles went on to win three gold medals at those championships, and then followed that up with the gold medal in the 100m a year later, even though a bout of COVID-19 forced him to settle for bronze in the 200 meters, and also forced him out of the 4x100m relay lineup.

His belief in himself paid off when he clinched gold in the 100 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Campbell-Brown, in a recent interview on Let’s Talk With Dr Greg, reinforced Lyles’ views, explaining that the right mindset is fundamental for any athlete striving for greatness. 

“It starts with having the right mindset, and that mindset has to be carried through,” she said. “Believing in your abilities regardless of the challenges you might face is essential," she added, emphasizing the significance of consistency, support, and hard work.

She noted that a strong mental approach, combined with a disciplined routine—training, rest, and self-care—forms the foundation for success. “Nothing that is of great value is gotten easy; you have to put in the work and continue building toward your goal,” Campbell-Brown said.

The two sprinters share a common understanding: without belief in one's own potential, achieving success at the highest level is nearly impossible. 

Both Lyles and Campbell-Brown have proven that a champion’s mindset, combined with dedication and support, is crucial in the pursuit of excellence in athletics. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder to aspiring athletes that belief in oneself is often the first step toward reaching the ultimate prize.

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