American track and field star Noah Lyles had a message for everyone after becoming the world’s fastest man on Sunday, winning the gold medal in the 100-meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Lyles took to social media to implore his fans not to let the things they feel are obstacles in their life to define them.
“I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression,” he wrote on X Sunday night. “But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become.
“Why Not You!”
Noah Lyles celebrates after winning the 100-meters at the Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024. Getty Images
I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression.
But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become.
Why Not You!
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) August 4, 2024
Lyles defeated Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by .005 seconds, with the official time coming in at 9.784 seconds and the American needing to lean as he crossed the finish line in what became a photo finish.
“We were waiting for the names to pop up, and I’m going to be honest, I came over [to Thompson] and I was like: ‘I think you got that one, big dawg!’” Lyles told reporters. “Something said I need to lean, and I was like, ‘I’m going to lean,’ because it’s that type of race.”
Lyles became the first American to win Olympic gold in the race since 2004 when Justin Gatlin was victorious, and he’ll have another chance at gold on Wednesday if he can reach the 200-meter finals.
Noah Lyles wins the 100-meters at the Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024. REUTERS
American Fred Kerley took home the bronze medal in the event.
“To be honest, I just believe in myself,” Lyles said, according to FloTrack. “I’ve done worse and I’ve run faster 60s. Ah, dang. Dang, I’m amazing. That’s crazy. That’s crazy. I thought I was a little better than that. But that goes to prove that reaction times do not win races.”
In the post-race celebration, Lyles took off his name tag and raised it to the crowd and was later seen embracing his girlfriend, fellow runner Junelle Bromfield of Jamaica.
