'It’s hard to love a country that sometimes doesn’t love you back' Noah Lyles
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 17.12.24. | 22:00
Lyles opened up about the complexities of being an elite athlete and the pressures that come with striving for greatness while grappling with societal realities
Triple world champion Noah Lyles has emerged as one of the most dominant forces in US sprinting since the retirement of Justin Gatlin, proudly flying the American flag on the global stage.
However, for Lyles, representing the United States comes with a mix of pride and internal struggles, especially as a black man navigating identity and personal challenges.
In a candid reflection with Fox News, Lyles opened up about the complexities of being an elite athlete and the pressures that come with striving for greatness while grappling with societal realities.
“I’m American, and I truly believe that we are the best in the world, especially when it comes to sports. But at the same time, it’s with a heavy heart, because being black in America, there’s a lot to deal with.
I’m not going to go into everything, but it’s not easy. It’s hard to love a country that sometimes doesn’t love you back,” he admitted.
Despite these struggles, Lyles remains committed to giving his best and making his country proud, even when the journey feels contradictory.
“At the same time, you always want to put your best foot forward. So, it’s a little contradicting, it’s with a heavy heart, but it still makes you feel extremely proud because you are an American,” he shared.
Lyles’ journey has been one of resilience and triumph, most notably in bringing back the long-lost Olympic glory for the United States in the men’s 100m.
The gold medal marked a pivotal moment in his career—one deeply personal and motivated in part by his father. He went on to acknowledge the weight of restoring America’s sprinting dominance.
“It was a moment I will forever cherish,” he said.
Looking ahead, Lyles is setting his sights on an even greater legacy.
After his gold medal performance in Paris, he hopes to complete the sprinting treble—winning the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, —an achievement last accomplished by Usain Bolt at the 2016 Olympics.
While Lyles has already secured six world titles, he knows the road to Bolt-level greatness will require unmatched focus and consistency.
However, Paris brought its challenges. In the 200m, Lyles had to settle for bronze as Botswana’s rising star, Letsile Tebogo, stunned the world to claim gold.
This setback has only fueled his desire to chase perfection, knowing the sprinting world is watching closely.
