Noah Lyles reveals behind-the-scenes struggle to topple Usain Bolt’s 200m world record

Noah Lyles, the American sprint sensation, has unveiled unseen footage from the night before his bold attempt to break Usain Bolt’s 200m world record at the NYC Grand Prix.

In a recently released video, The Fastest Man in the World, Lyles shares his experience leading up to the race, shedding light on the immense pressure he felt.

Reflecting on his journey from that moment to his success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lyles candidly discusses the mental and physical challenges he faced while striving to surpass Bolt’s legendary time.

The 27-year-old, who later secured a gold medal in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m at the Paris Olympics, takes viewers behind the scenes of his preparation.

He expresses his desire to make history by breaking Bolt’s record. “To be honest, I’m just hoping that it’s over quick, because the longer the flight is, the more of a hit it takes to my legs,” Lyles says, revealing the toll travel takes on his performance.

Although Lyles clocked an impressive 19.77 seconds at the NYC Grand Prix, he fell short of breaking Bolt’s world record of 19.19 seconds. Nonetheless, his confidence remained high. The night before the race, Lyles said, “World record is dropping tomorrow, all the signs are there, and the number, I keep saying to myself, ‘19.10’.”

Despite not breaking the record that day, Lyles remained resolute, eventually cementing his place in sprinting history at the Paris Olympics. His most notable victory came in the 100m final, where he narrowly defeated Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds in a thrilling photo finish.

Lyles continues to chase greatness. In an interview with I Am Athlete, he expressed his belief that he would eventually break both Bolt’s 100m and 200m records. “I had a dream that I’m going to run 9.41, and God has gifted me with the power of prophecy,” he shared.

Usain Bolt, in the Netflix documentary Sprint, acknowledged Lyles’ talent and determination, saying, “He’s full of energy and mentally very strong. Records are meant to be broken, but it’s not gonna be easy.”