Noah Lyles has opened up about one aspect of his behavior that irritates some of his followers during competitions.
The triple world champion, known for his pre-race stunts, often makes a statement before hitting the track.
At the Paris Olympic Games, Lyles, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, performed one such stunt ahead of the 200m final. He explained that this particular pre-race ritual, which some critics dislike, was a psychological strategy to overcome the physical and mental challenges he was facing. At the time, Lyles had tested positive for COVID-19 and was battling fatigue.
In a conversation with Katelyn Hutchison, Lyles shared that his stunts are not just for show but serve as a way to mentally prepare and energize himself before a race. “It’s funny that you say that because a lot of people do cook me for that, but I want people to think about how mentally energetic you have to put yourself in. You already have COVID, you are already sluggish, fatigue sets in randomly, and your chest gets tight,” he said.
He added, “A lot of people are going to think that you are going to try and save your energy, and well, I tried to save my energy in the semifinal, and it didn’t go well. In my head, and my therapist also said that we have to hype the body up. So, if it does get fatigued, you are already on a high level, and you have to ride that high as long as possible.”
Despite the challenges, Lyles secured a bronze medal in the 200m final, with Letsile Tebogo and Kenny Bednarek taking gold and silver. This came shortly after his victory in the men’s 100m title earlier in the Games.
Following the Paris Olympics, Lyles decided to skip the remainder of the track season, instead focusing on building his brand through media engagements. During this time, he proposed to his girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, elevating her to fiancée status. The couple also achieved a significant milestone by purchasing their first home and moving in together, marking a new chapter in their lives.
