Olympics champion Noah Lyles expressed his joy after receiving a hero’s welcome in his hometown, amid his previous frustrations over being overlooked in the U.S.
Lyles was ecstatic to finally have a parade in Alexandria, Virginia, following his Olympic achievements, where he won both gold and bronze medals.
He had earlier voiced concerns about the lack of recognition he felt compared to athletes like Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who was welcomed by over 30,000 fans upon his return.
Over the weekend, Lyles was greeted with open arms in Alexandria, where the state Senate held a special event in his honor. “So many came out!” he shared his heartfelt gratitude after the recognition from the Virginia Senate.
“It’s a parade in my city yeah,” Lyles posted on social media, sharing photos of himself waving to crowds during the parade.
The Senate passed a resolution commending Lyles’ remarkable career, detailing his journey from TC Williams High School in Alexandria to becoming one of the world’s fastest sprinters.
The resolution celebrated his early achievements, including victories at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 Pan American U20 Championships, along with being named the US Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2019 by Track and Field News.
“Noah Lyles’ accomplishments are the result of his relentless hard work, world-class talent, and matchless determination, making him an inspiration for young athletes throughout the Commonwealth,” the resolution stated.
Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Lyles grew up in Alexandria and began his sprinting career at TC Williams High School, where he set a national high school record in the 200m at the 2016 US Olympic Trials.
He has since secured three gold medals in the 200m and one in the 100m at the World Championships, an Olympic gold in the 100m, and five Diamond League titles.
