Noah Lyles reveals behind-the-scenes struggle to topple Usain Bolt’s 200m world record

Noah Lyles reveals behind-the-scenes struggle to topple Usain Bolt’s 200m world record

Festus Chuma 13:00 - 21.10.2024

Noah Lyles has shared unseen footage of his journey before attempting to break Usain Bolt's 200m world record at NYC Grand Prix.

American sprint king Noah Lyles has shared never-before-seen footage from the night before his historic attempt to break Usain Bolt’s 200m world record at the NYC Grand Prix.

In a new video titled The Fastest Man in the World, Lyles opens up about the immense pressure he felt leading up to the race, reflecting on his journey from the NYC Grand Prix to his success at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 27-year-old sprinter, who went on to secure a gold medal in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m event at the Paris Olympics, took his fans behind the scenes in the short film.

Lyles spoke candidly about the challenges of balancing his mental and physical preparation, focusing on his goal to etch his name in history by breaking Bolt’s 200m world record.

“To be honest, I’m just hoping that it’s over quick, because the longer the flight is, the more of a hit it takes to my legs. So quick flights are always what we want,” Lyles mentioned in the video.

Lyles has made no secret of his desire to break Bolt’s longstanding records.

Despite clocking 19.77 seconds to win the NYC Grand Prix, Lyles was just short of his goal of breaking the 19.19 world record set by the Jamaican legend.

Lyles, whose personal best stands at 19.31 seconds from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, remains undeterred.

"World record is dropping tomorrow, all the signs are there, and the number, I keep saying to myself, '19.10'," Lyles confidently said the night before the NYC race.

The video revealed the raw intensity and hope Lyles carried as he visualized himself achieving what many thought was impossible.

Though Lyles was unable to break the world record that day, his resolve did not waver.

He went on to cement his place in sprinting history later that summer at the Paris Olympics.

His most notable achievement came in the 100m final, where he edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds in a nail-biting photo finish to claim the gold medal.

The victory was a monumental moment for Lyles, who became an Olympic champion in the 100m for the first time.

Despite his impressive Olympic success, Lyles’ hunger for greatness remains unsatisfied.

In an interview with I Am Athlete, he revealed his unwavering belief that one day he will break both of Bolt’s records in the 100m and 200m events.

"I had a dream that I’m going to run 9.41, and God has gifted me with the power of prophecy, so I know that that’s going to come true. I’m sorry, every dream I’ve ever had has come true," Lyles shared.

"If God has given me, who am I to doubt?"

While Lyles is determined to make history, Bolt himself has offered both encouragement and a dose of reality.

In the Netflix documentary Sprint, the sprinting icon acknowledged Lyles’ exceptional talent and mental strength but also highlighted the challenges of achieving such a feat.

“Noah Lyles is a great athlete. He’s full of energy, mentally he’s very strong. He believes in himself, but if he breaks the world record, I’m not gonna be happy. Records are meant to be broken. I wish him all the best, but it’s not gonna be easy."

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