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Noah Lyles was one of the most talked about American athletes at the Summer Olympics in Paris, both for his performance and for some off-the-track drama surrounding him and a few fellow US Olympians.
The sprinter brought home a gold medal while representing the United States at the Games, winning the 100-meter in dramatic fashion. He also placed third in the 200-meter to add to his medal count in the final week.
@nbcolympics Every angle of Noah Lyles becoming the FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD! ⚡#ParisOlympics ♬ original sound – NBC Olympics & Paralympics
Lyles won the tag of “Fastest Man in the World” by winning that 100-meter race, but unfortunately, health issues potentially robbed him the chance of a clean sweep.
The sprinter tested positive for COVID ahead of the 200-meter event, making his bronze medal finish all the more impressive.
He wouldn’t let the illness hold him down for long!
Noah Lyles celebrated with his team in Paris.
Team USA Track and Field enjoyed the nightlife in France’s capital city before returning home from the Games. Lyles was front and center!
@sam.bion.promo Noah Lyles et team USA at @L’Arc Paris #larcparis #paris #noahlyles #olympics ♬ son original – Sam 🍾
The Olympian lived it up in Paris, despite receiving criticism from some of his fans in the United States. He shrugged much of the negative commentary off following his incredible performance, unfazed by the outside noise.
He did, however, comment on an ongoing beef that’s been building with the US basketball squad. He had to set the record straight!
Lyles still refuses to refer to Team USA Hoops as ‘World Champs.’
The men’s basketball team won a gold medal, largely thanks to a pair of incredible performances from Steph Curry in the final two games. They took their victory lap with a thinly veiled jab at Lyles after the fact.
The sprinter, of course, made headlines prior to these Olympic Games for his refusal to call NBA players “World Champions” after winning league titles.
“I have to watch the NBA Finals, and they have ‘world champion’ on their head,” he said last summer. “World Champion of what?! The United States?… There ain’t no flags in the NBA.”
Adding to that drama was a recent report signaling a beef between Lyles and Team USA guard Anthony Edwards. Rumors swirled that the sprinter bailed on the hooper’s Adidas shoe launch party, with a narrative being pushed that he didn’t believe Edwards had earned it.
Noah Lyles addressed the situation on Monday.
There is a rumor going around that I did not go to @theantedwards_ shoe release because he didn’t deserve it. That is not the case he definitely deserves his shoes he is an amazing player. The problem was finding time based on my prior engagements.
Congratulations on Becoming an Olympic champion!
-Noah Lyles / X: @LylesNoah
The track star shut down the reports, simply stating that he couldn’t fit the launch party into his busy schedule. Some interesting wording in that message immediately grabbed followers’ attention, though.
He still refused to call Team USA “World Champions!”
Intentional or coincidence? We may never know!
In Lyles previous definition, Olympic and World Champs would have the same meaning. Still, it was an interesting choice given his Team USA basketball beef.
Speculation will continue on this back and forth between Lyles and his fellow Olympians even as the Games come to an official end. At this point, he seems to be inviting the drama – and we’re here for it!