Noah Lyles: How I can become the greatest American sprinter of all-time
Fresh off his gold medal triumph in the 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Noah Lyles has opened up about what he believes is the final piece needed to cement his legacy as the greatest American male sprinter of all time.
The 28-year-old, who also holds two Olympic bronze medals in the 200m from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, has long been a dominant force on the global stage. His résumé includes multiple World Championship titles across the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, making him one of the most decorated sprinters of his generation.
Yet, despite his accolades, Lyles insists his journey to GOAT status isn’t complete. Speaking candidly, he said:
“Not yet. I still believe I need one more gold medal in the hundred before I want to say that I’ll be the greatest,’ Lyles in a r/trackandfield YouTube interview.
With the 2028 Olympics set to take place in Los Angeles, Lyles is eyeing a historic triple, gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, on home soil. He hinted that achieving this feat would be the moment he’d confidently declare himself the greatest American sprinter.
‘I’ll tell you when LA comes and I finally do get those three gold medals, then I’ll say for sure that I am the greatest American sprinter..
Lyles is chasing greatness in a field rich with legends. Justin Gatlin, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, and Jesse Owens have all left indelible marks on the sport, each with Olympic titles and iconic performances. But Lyles is determined to carve out his own chapter, one that could redefine American sprinting history.
