"It caused a lot of controversy" - Noah Lyles on being included in 4x400m relay team at World Indoor Championships

Noah Lyles has hit back at critics of his inclusion in the 4x400m relay team at the World Athletics Indoor Championship 2024, where he ran in place of Trevor Bassit.

Lyles has set the intentions clear for the Paris Olympics 2024. He aims to clinch four gold medals in 100m, 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m events and has accordingly been improving his relay performances as well. After securing a silver medal in the 60m event at the World Championships, he was included in Team USA’s 4x400m relay team at the last moment, sparking a controversy online.

Several American fans and sprinters had expressed dissatisfaction over the matter, claiming Lyles wasn't the deserving one. However, the world champion believes ‘no spot is deserved on the relay’. Instead, one has to prove their worth, which he believes, he had done to get on the team sheet at the World Athletic Indoor Championships.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of World Athletic Relays, Lyles admitted that many people in the U.S. were unhappy with his inclusion in the 4x400m relay team at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. The American also said that he would not be running in the event at the World Relays.

“I won’t be running the 4x400m here – when I did it at the World Indoors, let’s just say it caused a lot of controversy,” Lyles said. “This year I will be training specifically for the 100m and 200m, but also to be in good shape for the 400m so that I can be part of the 4x400m at the Paris Olympics. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I know I’ve been saying that for two years, but it’s very true.”

Noah Lyles 2024 outdoor season

World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2024 - Day Two

Noah Lyles had a sensational Indoor season. Back-to-back wins at the New Balance Grand Prix and USATF Indoor Championships saw him break the personal best in 60m dashes twice. At the World Championships, he matched his personal best, 6.43s, to settle for silver behind Christian Coleman.

The 26-year-old opened his outdoor season at the Tom Jones Memorial 2024. He clocked 10.01s to win the 100m event ahead of Kenny Bednarek. Lyles next raced at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix, where he improved his timings to slide under the 10s mark.

Noah Lyles won the 100m event at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix in 9.96s. Although it was a wind-aided performance, the world champion raced the last part of the face unchallenged. Lyles has a personal best of 9.83s in the 100m event, and given the form he is in, it won't be long before he breaks that mark this season.