Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic 100 metres champion, is preparing for his return to the track at the London Diamond League on Saturday, nearly one year after claiming gold at the Paris 2024 Games.
The 28-year-old American sprinter, known for his flamboyant personality and bold declarations, is stepping into a new chapter of his career as he re-evaluates how he wants to present himself to the world. Speaking to BBC Sport, Lyles admitted he is still figuring out the next version of himself, both on and off the track.
“I don’t know, I’m wondering that,” Lyles said. “I had a really good chance to not only just sit with myself but also think ahead to the future, and how I want to continue presenting myself as the showman and so on. I think the crowd are going to get maybe a mixed bag right now, as I am redefining how I want to be seen over the next few years.”
Lyles reached the pinnacle of his sport last summer, edging out competitors by just five thousandths of a second in a dramatic 100 metres final to be crowned the world’s fastest man. The victory came on the heels of a golden treble at the World Championships and a prominent feature in the Netflix athletics documentary *Sprint*.
While illness ruled him out of a potential fourth medal in Paris, his triumph in the 100 metres cemented his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
“It’s very surreal. There are some days I wake up and I feel like Noah, and there are other days where I’m like, ‘I’m the world’s fastest man, I’m the Olympic champion in the 100 metres – I did that!’,” he said.
With sights now set on three more world gold medals in Tokyo this September and a long-term vision for more Olympic glory at Los Angeles 2028, Lyles remains focused on his athletic goals. Off the track, however, he is learning to embrace his rising fame and the public attention that comes with it.
“My popularity has grown. Walking outside, I know I’m going to get recognised,” Lyles added. “I’m learning to be comfortable with that, learning to adjust, knowing that people see me in a different light but being OK with that and with who I am.”
Coverage of the London Diamond League will air on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app from 1.15pm to 4.25pm on Saturday, 19 July.
