GLASGOW (AFP) – Noah Lyles’ path to his bold objective of “successful each Olympic medal” on the Paris Games continues as he races by way of Glasgow this weekend as America’s prime sprinter chases 60m glory on the World Indoor Championships. He is a distance runner.
Publication date: 29/02/2024 – 02:37 Modification date: 29/02/2024 – 02:36
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Lyles has received the outside world championships six occasions, and final yr grew to become the primary sprinter since Usain Bolt in 2015 to win a world double within the 100-200 meters.
Bolt’s retirement in 2017 left a gaping gap on the coronary heart of the athletics world, however Lyles has not hesitated to tackle the function of Earth’s Fastest Man, which comes with untold wealth and notoriety.
Lyles heads to Scotland on the again of successful his first ever U.S. indoor title and renewing his multi-million greenback contract with German sportswear model Adidas, stated to be second solely to Bolt with Puma.
But Americans’ shares aren’t fairly the identical as Bolt’s at this level.
Importantly, Lyles doesn’t have an Olympic title and Bolt nonetheless holds the world information in each the 100m and 200m.
Ever the showman, Lyles received the U.S. title earlier this month by defeating nationwide rival Christian Coleman in a private finest 6.43 seconds.
“I’m not going to say I’m shocked, however I’m very pleased with myself. This work has been eight years within the making,” Lyles stated.
outside fireworks
The 26-year-old believes competing indoors is a superb probability to hone what he considers to be the weakest level in his talent set within the run-up to the Olympics.
“This is indoors, so I’m excited to have the ability to run this quick constantly,” Lyles stated after his win over Coleman.
“This is my least favourite occasion. So exit and placed on some superb fireworks!”
Lyles boasts private bests of 9.83 seconds and 19.31 seconds within the 100 and 200 meters, in comparison with Bolt’s world information of 9.58 seconds and 19.19.
Both of Bolt’s efforts have been set on the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, a yr after the Jamaican captured the world’s consideration by setting new file occasions of 9.63 seconds and 19.30 seconds on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was one thing.
“Last yr I competed and received three gold medals,” stated a defiant Lyles.
“This yr I need to get 4, and even when I don’t get 4, I’m nonetheless going for 3 world information.
“If it doesn’t work, I strive, strive, strive once more.”
As an athlete with a ardour for style, Lyles shines brightly. It’s a diamond-encrusted ring with the letters “WC” inside a purple truck and his title engraved subsequent to 2023. NFL Super Bowl Champion.
Lyles’ new cope with Adidas is alleged to be “the richest contract in athletics since Usain Bolt’s retirement.”
This means American athletes will put on the corporate’s attire and cleats till the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
It additionally highlights Lyles’ financial worth to the model, though it nonetheless has a strategy to go to match Bolt’s incomes potential. Bolt received six particular person Olympic gold medals (three within the 100 meters, three within the 200 meters) and had two gold medals and was backed by sponsors. Relay gold medal.
That may change if the Americans begin the 2024 worldwide season with a world indoor 60m title and win three extra gold medals on the Paris Olympics.
Track and subject stays a minority sport within the United States, however there’s nothing Americans love greater than Olympic glory to solidify an athlete’s profession.
© 2024 AFP