Glasgow (AFP) – Noah Lyles' path to his ambitious goal of “winning every Olympic medal'' at the Paris Games will take him through Glasgow this weekend as America's top sprinter aims for 60m glory at the World Indoor Championships.
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Lyles has won the outdoor world championships six times, and last year became the first sprinter since Usain Bolt in 2015 to win a world double in the 100-200 meters.
Bolt's retirement in 2017 left a gaping hole at the heart of the athletics world, but Lyles has not hesitated to take on the role of Earth's Fastest Man, which comes with untold wealth and notoriety.
Lyles heads to Scotland on the back of winning his first ever U.S. indoor title and renewing his multi-million dollar contract with German sportswear brand Adidas, said to be second only to Bolt with Puma.
But Americans' stocks aren't quite the same as Bolt's at this point.
Importantly, Lyles does not have an Olympic title and Bolt still holds the world records in both the 100m and 200m.
Ever the showman, Lyles won the U.S. title earlier this month by defeating national rival Christian Coleman in a personal best 6.43 seconds.
“I'm not going to say I'm shocked, but I'm very proud of myself. This work has been eight years in the making,” Lyles said.
outdoor fireworks
The 26-year-old believes competing indoors is a great chance to hone what he considers to be the weakest point in his skill set in the run-up to the Olympics.
“This is indoors, so I’m excited to be able to run this fast consistently,” Lyles said after his win over Coleman.
“This is my least favorite event. So go out and put on some amazing fireworks!”
Lyles boasts personal bests of 9.83 seconds and 19.31 seconds in the 100 and 200 meters, compared to Bolt's world records of 9.58 seconds and 19.19.
Both of Bolt's efforts were set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, a year after the Jamaican captured the world's attention by setting new record times of 9.63 seconds and 19.30 seconds at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was something.
“Last year I competed and won three gold medals,” said a defiant Lyles.
“This year I want to get four, and even if I don’t get four, I’m still going for three world records.
“If it doesn’t work, I try, try, try again.”
As an athlete with a passion for fashion, Lyles shines brightly. It's a diamond-encrusted ring with the letters “WC” inside a red truck and his name engraved next to 2023. NFL Super Bowl Champion.
Lyles' new deal with Adidas is said to be “the richest contract in athletics since Usain Bolt's retirement.”
This means American athletes will wear the company's apparel and cleats until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
It also highlights Lyles' economic value to the brand, although it still has a way to go to match Bolt's earning potential. Bolt won six individual Olympic gold medals (three in the 100 meters, three in the 200 meters) and had two gold medals and was backed by sponsors. Relay gold medal.
That could change if the Americans start the 2024 international season with a world indoor 60m title and win three more gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
Track and field remains a minority sport in the United States, but there's nothing Americans love more than Olympic glory to solidify an athlete's career.
© 2024 AFP