"I love being a showman" - When Noah Lyles reflected on his ways of reviving the track and field popularity

Six-time world champion Noah Lyles is one of the global faces of track and field, and he has always strived to promote the sport and kindle enthusiasm among the fans. Fittingly, Lyles once shared his thoughts on popularizing the sport while referring to himself as the 'showman'.

Known for his blazing speed on the track, Lyles has brought the United States several titles, including an Olympic bronze medal and four Diamond League titles. He is also one of the rare athletes to win three World Championship titles in a single event, a feat that he achieved last year during the Worlds in Budapest. Now the sprinter is currently on a quest to replicate his World Championship performance at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

The 26-year-old athlete has come a long way in his professional career and is a well-established name in the track and field realm. However, he has never let go of the mindset of giving his best to elevate and popularize the sport further. During an interview with the Guardian in June 2021, Lyles revealed his intentions for the future of track and field and stated:

"I want to be known as a person who changed the sport. Going out there, being a showman, I love being a showman, I want to encourage other people to say you don’t have to be super aggressive when you go out there for a 100 or a 200."

In this vein of uplifting the sport, Noah Lyles most recently made headlines when he showed his support for the American HBCU sprinter Kai Cole, who made it to the U.S. Olympic Trials during the MEAC Championships.

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Noah Lyles' views on carving his own legacy

Usain Bolt, a name synonymous with track excellence, has inspired a generation of athletes in running. Noah Lyles is also one of the admirers of Bolt; however, on the question of leaving the sport, Lyles has different plans than the Jamaican legend who has now retired.

2024 Laureus World Sport Awards Madrid - Red Carpet

The runner told The Guardian:

"Medals are always more important. Records get broken all the time, but everybody remembers a medallist. Everybody likes that Usain Bolt broke those world records, but to be honest it’s because he won three medals at three Olympics, something that no other man has done in sprinting."

However, having won six gold medals and a silver at the various world championships, an Olympic medal, and so much more, Noah Lyles still thinks that if he sets medals and time clocked as his target, then it can limit his potential as a runner. He wants to go beyond Bolt to be able to inspire others.

Noah Lyles has his own set of scripts ready for after his 100-meter Olympic title (if he manages to win one), and he wants his Olympic glory to be remembered for the crowd engagement.