'I would have quit'- Noah Lyles reveals one thing that could have changed his career path

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'I would have quit'- Noah Lyles reveals one thing that could have changed his career path

Stephen Awino 08:30 - 30.11.2024

Olympic champion Noah Lyles would have gone down a very different path due to one training regimen.

Olympic champion Noah Lyles, known for his dominance in sprints, has revealed the surprising factor that could have derailed his career in track and field and it is long-distance running.

Despite his decorated career, which includes multiple world championship titles and recent Olympic glory, Lyles admitted that if he had been pushed into long-distance events as a child, his story might have taken a very different turn.  

In a candid interview, Lyles shared how his younger years in track shaped his perspective. He recounted how his brother, Josephus Lyles, briefly quit running during their childhood due to the pressure of participating in longer races.

Their father, who was heavily involved in their training, initially pushed Josephus to compete in events like the 400m.

However, Josephus found the experience so unenjoyable that he stepped away from the sport altogether, only returning to it later in middle school.  

"I’m not going to lie, it’s wild when you go to Junior Olympics and see 8-year-olds doing the 1500m," Lyles said.

"That was the reason why Josephus stopped running. He started running when we were like 10 or 11, and my dad was making him do long distances, and he said he didn’t like it. My dad was like, ‘It kind of sucks for you,’ so he just quit. Then he came back when we got into eighth grade. But yeah, that would make me quit. If I was an 8-year-old running the mile, I’d be done too."

Lyles’ reflections highlight the importance of finding the right fit in athletics, particularly for young athletes.

For him, sprints became a natural outlet for his talent and passion, paving the way for a stellar career.

With his recent Olympic triumph and continued success in the sprints, Lyles’ s will be looking forward the 2025 season to add more accolades t his belt.