"I don’t think US coaches want the controversy of selecting him" - Michael Johnson on Noah Lyles and 4×400s relay team

Michael Johnson believes US coaches will not risk courting controversy by selecting Noah Lyles in the 4x400 meters relay team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

At last year’s world outdoor championships in Budapest, Lyles won gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. At the world indoors in Glasgow, he was part of the 4x400 meters relay team that won silver.

However, his inclusion in that relay team was criticized. Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Fred Kerley accused the US track federation of favoritism towards Lyles.

Despite the negative comments, Lyles has pushed for a place on the 4x400 meters relay team at the Summer Games. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Johnson, however, opined that there was no need for Lyles' on the relay team.

"Noah has stirred further debate by lobbying for a place on the US 4×400 relay. I don’t think US coaches want the controversy of selecting him, and they don’t need him, so I do not see him on the 4×400 relay. He hasn’t run a 400m race since 2018 and the US relay pool is so deep already that I don’t see anyone challenging them," he saidv(via The Times)

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Michael Johnson: "Noah Lyles is an anomaly"

Noah Lyles at the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field in Oregon (IMAGE: GETTY)

Noah Lyles has never been shy of setting lofty goals and telling the world about them. At the Paris Olympics, he aims to become the first man to win four gold medals on the track in the same edition.

The American wants gold in 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay this time. He has also wants to beat Usain Bolt's 100m and 200m world records.

American retired sprinter Michael Johnson recognizes that Lyles' outspoken personality divides opinions. He also believes this audacious nature has helped him achieve considerable success in his career.

"The thing about Noah is people love him and hate him. I get it. He is an anomaly. There is no one out there like him in sprinting or the sport. He points out a moonshot and says he is going to do this incredible thing. People then tell him he can’t. Others say it’s just bravado. But he actually backs it up. I believe one of the reasons he is so successful," Johnson said.

Since winning the 200m bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Lyles has dominated almost every event he has competed in. He will be one of the favorites for the gold medal in every event he will enter at the Paris Olympics.