"There's a difference between running in Jamaica and Olympics"- Noah Lyles on why he was undeterred despite losing to Oblique Seville before the Games

100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles recalls the reason behind his confidence before the 2024 Paris Olympics despite losing to Oblique Seville at the Racers Grand Prix in June. This came just a few days after the US Olympic Track and Field Trials, a month before the start of the Paris event.

Competing in the 100m event at the Racer Grand Prix in Kingston Seville clocked a run time of 9.82 seconds to upset Lyles, who eventually finished in the second position with a run time of 9.85 seconds.

Despite this shocking loss, Lyles was confident ahead of the Paris Games. Speaking in an interview with USATF (United States Track and Field) after an impressive performance at the trials, Lyles was asked about the medal he is predicting for himself at the Paris Games.

Replying to this, Noah Lyles said (at 13:00):

"It's gold, they are all going to be gold, I will tell you why though. I have studied my competitors, I knew that man (Oblique Seville) was going to be ready for that race, don't get me wrong I was ready but he was obviously more ready on that day but I tell you what there's a difference between running in Jamaica to running in an Olympics.

"I've seen how you handle your rounds, I have studied my competitors."

As the Paris Olympics unfolded, Lyles managed to win the gold medal over the 100-meter distance, beating Oblique Seville, who eventually finished last in the race with a run time of 9.91 seconds.

Three-time Olympic medalist Noah Lyles opens up about his personality

Noah Lyles during the Men's 200m event finals at the Stade de France (Image via: Getty Images)

Noah Lyles recently opened up about the strong charismatic personality that he carries both on and off the track. This comes a few months after his successful outing at the Paris Olympics.

Speaking in an interview with People, Lyles claimed that even though he has a "large" personality, he needs people closer to him who support him through thick and thin. He said:

"Of course, I have a very large personality. But having people who I feel are grounded around me and having a good support system keeps me closer."

Noah Lyles also said that his mother, Keisha Caine, and his girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, helped him handle the pressure during track and field meets.