Olympic champion Noah Lyles compares criticism to bullying in school and how he managed to overcome.
At just 27, Olympic champion Noah Lyles seems to have seen it all in his career that is entering into its prime.
The active world’s fastest man in 100m, had a whirlwind experience during the Paris Olympics. The American faced acute criticism after deciding to compete in the 20m race despite testing positive for the COVID-19.
After getting accustomed to criticism, the six-time world champion has embraced being an anti-hero, although he defended himself saying that many people don’t understand his journey toward improving his self worth.
Dealing with anxiety, depression and attention deficit, along with Asthma, made Lyles to remember his time in school. Likening his criticism to bullying, Lyles said school life was the toughest phase of his life, one that enabled him to adjust to the demands of life.
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Olympic champion Noah Lyles previously bragged about why it was unthinkable of him losing the Olympics 100m final.
“Those are all prime bullying targets right there. I was getting bullied in school. It was very hard, and I was already not doing well because I’m not a traditional learner. It was very hard going through that. Going through the school system, it made me feel like I was stupid. I felt like none of my gifts I have now were worth anything,” Lyles told the Independent.
But while his 100m victory may be his greatest triumph, his 200m bronze could be considered the great metaphor for his life.
“I’ve made teams that I was told I wasn’t supposed to make, I’ve gotten medals that I’m supposed to be told aren’t possible, I’ve broken records that they say were never supposed to be broken. Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it can’t be done,” he told Olympics.com.
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