Olympics viewers and social media users alike can't get over Noah Lyles' response to whether he thinks he can break Usain Bolt's long-standing 200m world record, having already secured gold at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The 27-year-old showcased his impressive form by clinching the 100m men's gold medal and is now setting his sights on further triumphs.
As for the 200m final, the American sprinter - who was one of the favorites for the 200m Olympic final - finished third, earning a bronze medal for Team USA.
The 27-year-old completed the race in 19.70 seconds, 0.17 seconds off his season best, which still wouldn’t have been enough to surpass gold medalist Letsile Tebogo, who finished in 19.46 seconds.
It was later revealed that Lyles had been battling an illness, which was not disclosed until after the race. Just minutes after the 200m final, it was confirmed that Lyles had tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday morning.
This explained his condition as he left the track, requiring medical attention and being taken away in a wheelchair.
While there are no regulations preventing athletes with Covid-19 from competing, Lyles chose to race as long as he felt capable.
Following the event, Tebogo remarked that he was not suited to be the face of athletics, unlike Lyles, whom he described as more "arrogant and loud," via The Independent.
Lyles has already made a bold declaration about Bolt's world record of 19.19 seconds, which has remained unchallenged for nearly 15 years.
In 2023, Lyles confidently told USA Today's Tom Schad: "I know that I'm going to break it."
Naturally, online commenters had a lot to say about his confidence.
One commented: "Can't stand him - humbleness is worth more then anything most painful personality!"
Another said: "The correct answer should have been No Bolt was a phenomenon we shall not witness in many years to come."
A third wrote: "Bless his cotton socks, but not after that failed attempt of a 100m win the officials felt sorry for him and gave him."
Lyles acknowledged in the 2023 interview the fascination people have with witnessing both success and failure: "The second most popular hobby of humans—after watching somebody achieve greatness—is watching them fail.
"People love to watch others fail. They just do. I don't know why."
Lyles added: "If someone says they want to do something great, there's always someone nearby to say they can't.
"But I couldn't care less about what others think. They don't know me, my story, my work ethic, or my talent. But I do."
Lyles, known for his swagger and confidence, has patiently waited for his moment in the spotlight.
"He has dominated the 200m event, remaining undefeated since a disappointing third-place finish at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
Of the 10 fastest 200m times recorded globally since the Tokyo Games, Lyles has clocked eight of them.
"I'm going to motivate myself no matter what," Lyles asserted. "I'm going to win no matter what. I didn't need a rival at Worlds to run 19.3, because there was nobody close to me when that happened."
Lyles' closest attempt to breaking Bolt's world record, set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, was 19.31 seconds—a US record he achieved in Eugene in 2022.
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