Noah Lyles positioned himself perfectly for the Paris Olympics by sprinting to a personal best in the 100m at the Diamond League meeting on Saturday. In his final race before the Olympics, Lyles had a solid start and blazed down the track at London Stadium, clocking an impressive 9.81 seconds to secure victory.
Crucially, he confidently held off a pack of competitors who are likely to challenge him in Paris, establishing himself as the sprinter to beat in the French capital just six days before the opening ceremony.
Reflecting on his performance, Lyles remarked, “That was fun. I could have had a better start. The transitions were great and achieving a personal best… I wanted a faster time but I had the wind. After building my confidence and overcoming challenges in 2021, this is exactly what I prayed for and worked towards.”
Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics, Lyles asserted his determination, stating, “I’m going to win, it’s what I always do. I’m getting faster every week. Achieving a personal best and improving just before Paris is significant. I aimed to break the 9.80 barrier — I felt the wind like everyone else. I’m fully aware of where I stand before Paris. We knew the spotlight would be on us; I’ve been preparing for this moment for six years!”
Lyles, a prominent figure in the recent Netflix documentary series “Sprint,” emphasized that he thrives under pressure and public scrutiny. “I excel in the biggest moments; the more eyes on me, the better I perform,” he affirmed. “When the TV is on and the world is watching, that’s when I shine.”
