Fact Check: Is Noah Lyles the fastest man alive?

Controversy has surged in the world of track and field after Noah Lyles was called the ‘fastest man alive’ by several American athletes and publications. However, Lyles is not the fastest man alive, with that honor still being reserved for Usain Bolt, who clocked a time of 9.58s in the 100m at the 2009 World Athletics Championships.

The controversy began when a multitude of American athletes and news publications, including Olympic gymnast Joscelyn Roberson, late night talk show ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’, as well as the Washington Times Sports, labeled Lyles the fastest man.

This claim drew intense criticism from both Jamaicans as well as track fans across the globe as they joined the discussion to point out the fact that Usain Bolt was still the fastest man alive, in both the 100 and 200m distances.

Additionally, several people on the internet were also quick to point out the fact that while Noah Lyles is not the fastest man alive, he is not even the fastest man of 2024. For now, the 100m world lead for this season belongs to Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who clocked a 9.77s at the national trials, the fastest anyone has gone since the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

Meanwhile, Lyles is indeed the fastest man this season in the 200m, with his world lead of 19.53s that he clocked at the U.S Olympic Trials. Additionally, given the 100m and 200m golds that he won last year at the World Athletics Championships, Lyles does have some claim to the ‘fastest man in the world’ title, but he is still a good way off from being the ‘fastest man alive’.

When will Noah Lyles race at the Paris Olympics?

Noah Lyles will begin his campaign at the Paris Olympics on August 3, with the men's 100m preliminary rounds. The first round of the race takes place later the same day. The American should be back on track the next day, for the semifinals and finals of the event.

Lyles' 200m campaign at the Games will begin on August 5 with the first round. The semi-finals are scheduled for August 7, with the finals taking place the next day. The reigning 100m and 200m World Champion remains a favorite to walk away with gold in the latter event but will face some difficult obstacles in the former.