"Almost like a Thanos moment" - Noah Lyles pulls a classic Marvel reference to describe his moment of glory after winning 100m at Paris Olympics

Noah Lyles called his Olympic 100m winning feat a 'Thanos moment' since he brought back the gold to the US after Justin Gatlin achieved it in 2004 Athens. Lyles won the 100m dash just five-thousandths of a second ahead of his Jamaican counterpart Kishane Thompson in 9.79s at the 2024 Paris Games.

Lyles, 27, won the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the 2023 World Championships, achieving a three-peat since Usain Bolt did it in the 2015 World Championships. He qualified in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, his second Games edition.

Lyles clinched the 100m win and became the first US man to do so after former sprinter Justin Gatlin achieved it in 2004 Athens. In a recent interview, he shared his feelings about putting in the work and becoming a champion with a reference to a supervillain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thanos.

"It was all about the U.S. bringing home all the medals, especially in the 100-meter race. But then it was just Jamaican, and Jamaican, and Jamaican. I was like OK, we need to bring this back home. This needs to be ours. It was almost like a Thanos moment, if you want something done right then you need to do it yourself," said Lyles. (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

The six-time World gold medalist seemingly resonated with a popular dialogue of Thanos, "Fine. I'll do it myself."

At the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, Bolt won the 100m dash, while Marcell Jacobs of Italy won in 2021 Tokyo.

Lyles ran the 200m dash at the Paris Olympics but could only finish third with his effort. Later it was revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19. He also pulled out of the 4x10m relay roster because of his deteriorating health.

Noah Lyles credited his success to the 'lifelong journey and battles'

Noah Lyles before men's 200m finals at the Paris Games; Source: Getty

Noah Lyles struggled with his health in his childhood. He suffered from asthma and ADHD in his early years and took up sprinting at 12, turning pro in 2016. Despite his best efforts, he failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Games but won the 200m bronze at the Tokyo stop.

Now a reigning World and Olympic champion in the 100m, Lyles credited his success to the bumpy road he overcame, his team, and God.

"I can’t credit it to one thing. It’s a lifelong journey of lessons and battles and overcoming hurdles. There have been tons of setbacks but of course I have an amazing team that I put together. I have great faith in what I do and faith in God," said Lyles. (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Olympic Games was the last event of Noah Lyles in the 2024 season.