"Nobody cares about 200m" - Noah Lyles happy being 'the fastest man in the world' despite unfinished business in the half-lap event

Noah Lyles has made a relatively surprising statement about the popularity and relevance of the 200m sprints. He is the current American record holder in the event and the third fastest of all time in the world.

Lyles has predominantly remained a 200m sprinter in his career with three consecutive world championships to his name in the event. He broke the American record in the distance at the 2022 World Championships, clocking a blistering 19.31s to beat Michael Johnson's 19.32s from the 1996 Olympics.

The 27-year-old made his name in the 100m in 2023 following a series of impressive times which culminated in the maiden world title in Budapest. While he did defend the 100m title at the Paris Olympics, Lyles only managed a bronze medal in the 200m, partly because of his COVID-19 illness.

With seemingly unfinished business in the 200m, the American was expected to shift his focus on the event for the 2025 season. However, he feels the event has lost its shine compared to the 100m and he would be happy to win the 100m title instead of the 200m at the Tokyo World Championships. Speaking in an interview with LetsRun.com, he said:

"Nobody cares about the 200m. I learned that quickly after breaking the American record and losing to Mondo Duplantis for Athlete of the Year. I was like they don't care about the 200m. I mean it's fun to watch but at the end of the day nobody and the common people, non-track and field athletes they don't care about the 200." [12:50 0nwards]

Lyles also pointed to the similar change made by Usain Bolt in the latter part of his career and stated he would be happy to retain the title of 'fastest man in the world' over the 200m gold.

"It's the 100 that's why when Bolt was winding down, he stuck to the 100 cuz the 200m wasn't going to get him extra motto, it was all about the 100m, everybody wants to know the fastest man in the world," Noah Lyles added.

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Noah Lyles 'proud' of his 200m bronze medal at the Paris Olympics

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Noah Lyles receives a bronze medal (Source: Getty)

Following his breathtaking performance in the 100m at the Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles was the overwhelming favorite to win the 200m title as well before he contracted COVID-19. Botswana's Letsile Tebogo eventually clinched the gold medal in an African record time of 19.46s.

The USA's Kenny Bednarek won the silver medal in 19.62s while Lyles settled for bronze in 19.70s. It was the second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in the 200m for Lyles, and while he was disappointed after his first, the two-time Olympian was 'proud' of his second.

"I've never been more proud of myself for being able to come out here and getting a bronze medal. Last Olympics I was very disappointed [in bronze]... and this time I couldn't be more proud," Noah Lyles told NBC (as quoted by Olympics.com)

It was the American's first loss in the 200m since winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.