Eight-time world champion Noah Lyles reflected on the uncertain trajectory of sprinting, shared his plans for retiring from the sport, and encouraged fellow athletes to resist succumbing to public opinion.
Olympic 100m gold medalist Noah Lyles recently spoke candidly about the ambiguous future of sprinting, acknowledging that despite a surge of promising talent, “no one really knows which path to take.”
Following his remarkable achievement of clinching a fourth straight 200m world championship in Tokyo last month, the American sprinter is already contemplating his legacy and eventual retirement. His immediate goal is to eclipse Usain Bolt‘s record by securing a fifth world title in Beijing in 2027, but his ambitions stretch well beyond that milestone.
Noah Lyles matched Usain Bolt’s record as a four-time 200m world champion, the highest in history
“I have a clear vision for how I want my final year competing to unfold,” Lyles shared in an interview with The Guardian. “I’ve been thinking well ahead.”
At 28 years old, Lyles is aiming to make the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics his last major competition, though he remains open to the possibility of participating in the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Planning a Memorable Farewell
Lyles envisions a farewell tour spanning from 2028 to 2032, featuring races in countries he’s eager to visit-ticking off items on his “bucket list”-alongside a few hometown events and a distinctive closing race.
“My final competition would be at my own track meet, where I could orchestrate everything exactly how I want,” he explained.
Noah Lyles anchored the USA 4x100m relay team to gold on the final day of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Photo Credit – @WorldAthletics
Reflecting on last summer’s Paris Olympics, Lyles experienced a mix of triumph and disappointment. After capturing the 100m gold, he was confident about completing the sprint double in the 200m.
Unfortunately, contracting Covid-19 just two days before the 200m final hampered his performance, resulting in a bronze medal finish behind Botswana’s rising star Letsile Tebogo and silver medalist Kenny Bednarek.
This setback echoed a difficult moment from his Olympic debut in Tokyo four years earlier, where he battled mental health challenges and secured bronze in the 200m.
Now, Lyles can reflect on his journey with humor. “Wow, I’m definitely getting older,” he laughed. “Paris marked the midpoint for me… I thought, ‘Alright, I’m on the downhill side now.'”
“If I give my all every year, month, week, and day, I believe I’ll look back without regrets,” he added.
Perspectives on Sprinting’s Future and Guidance for Peers
While Lyles’ consistent dominance has kept emerging sprinters at bay, he voiced broader concerns about the direction of track and field.
“The outlook for sprinting is quite unclear at the moment,” he remarked thoughtfully. “There’s an abundance of talent and potential, with many fresh faces stepping up, but the sport itself seems uncertain about its future course.”
He emphasized that this ambiguity extends beyond identifying the next superstar, touching on “all aspects of athletics.”
Lyles believes that athletes’ apprehensions about public judgment and the often harsh online fan culture are hindering the sport’s evolution.
“Someone asked me what advice I’d give to Letsile [Tebogo], and I told him, ‘Just be authentic,'” Lyles shared.
Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo have developed a fierce rivalry since the Paris Olympics // News24
He elaborated on the pressures athletes face, saying, “We want to entertain and deliver our best performances, but also remain true to ourselves. Sometimes, fear of public opinion stops us from being genuine, even though this is just a sport.”
“At the end of the day, it’s just a sport,” he concluded. “No one’s life is at stake. Let’s cherish these moments as much as we can.”
With the 2025 season behind him, Lyles is focused on returning stronger next year, continuing to contribute to the sport he cherishes while building his enduring legacy before retirement.