Noah Lyles knows how to ruffle feathers.
The American sprint king’s reputation for running his mouth is almost as infamous as his speed on the track.
Lyles is the poster child of American sprinting[/caption]
And while the 27-year-old has a huge fanbase – with over two million followers on Instagram – his in-your-face style has seen him get some backs up.
Netflix has turned the spotlight on the world of sprinting with its docuseries Sprint.
The second season debuted and gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the US team’s Olympic preparations in the first episode.
Lyles was the center of attention, as usual, and it was made abundantly clear that he will not be getting a Christmas card from some of his American rivals next month.
World 60-meter champ Christian Coleman is lightning out of the blocks and prefers to do his talking on the track.
The 28-year-old could not be more different to chatterbox Lyles, who is renowned for starting slowly and reeling in his competitors.
Trinidadian sprinting legend Ato Bolden described the duo as “Fire and ice.”
“I think they irritate each other because their personalities are so different,” he added.
“I came more to his playground than he came to mine, his event was the 100, mine was the 200, I wouldn’t say we were friends,” Lyles told Netflix of Coleman.
“I’ve been knowing Noah for a long time, we’ve competed over the years,” commented his rival.
Fred Kerley had some strong words on Lyles[/caption]
“I try not to buy into, or feed into, other people’s antics, that’s just not really me. I’m not that type of guy.”
The duo’s rivalry really ramped up after Lyles beat Coleman to be crowned world 100 meter champion in 2023.
“He earned it, it was his moment,” noted Coleman, who later walked out of an interview after being asked a question about his foe.
“Some people just don’t like you, and you can’t do nothing about it,” said Lyles.
Coleman took revenge in March’s Indoor World Championships by taking gold in the 60.
“He’s definitely put a fire under my belly. I’ll tell you that. But I mean, I’m not here to talk about him. I’m here to talk about me,” Lyles told Netflix.
Fred Kerley, who won 100 meter bronze in Paris, was the next man to comment on his high-profile teammate.
At the NYC Grand Prix, Lyles was busy lapping up attention in a bold waistcoat and jeans in the hotel lobby.
“I don’t think I came here for a fashion show. That’s Noah’s style,” said Kerley, dressed in a plain zip-down jacket.
“It’s weird, but that’s his personality. Cocky, arrogant, and all that stuff.
“I don’t do nothing for attention. I’m here to run fast and go about my business.”
Kerley proclaimed that he would break Usain Bolt‘s long-standing 100 meters world record at the meet but ended up pulling out after his blocks slipped – Lyles stormed to gold in the 200.
Lyles ended up clocking 9.83 in Oregon to take his place on the plane to France, with Kenny Bednarek second at 9.87, and Kerley third at 9.88.
Coleman faded after a strong start to finish fourth with a 9.93 that saw his agonizingly miss out.
It is easy to talk the talk, but Lyles managed to walk the walk and left Paris as an Olympic champion.
The 200 meters was another story after he contracted Covid in the build-up before dramatically collapsing on the track.
But at 27 years old, Lyles has plenty more in the tank and should provide plenty more entertainment on and off the track.
