American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has revealed how Olympic champion Noah Lyles is transcending the sport of track and field.
American sprint icon Justin Gatlin has broken down how Olympic champion Noah Lyles is transcending the sport, not just through his performances but also through his showmanship and charisma.
In a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast the former 100 world champion gave the reigning 100m world champion his flowers.
“Let’s talk about how Noah sets the stage—it’s an event. You can’t just say he shows up at the starting line, quietly warming up with headphones on. No, when he arrives, he arrives. He jumps out of the car decked out in all white—white sunglasses, white coat, white pants, white shoes, hoodie—turning heads before even stepping on the track,” Gatlin explained.
Lyles’ grand entrances mirror the spectacle of NFL and NBA stars, who make statements with their game-day fashion.
According to Gatlin, this approach aligns with a mindset famously embodied by Deion Sanders of “Look good, feel good, perform good.”
While some may misunderstand Lyles’ flair, Gatlin emphasizes that there’s a key distinction between craving attention and knowing how to command it.
)
The former sprinters have doubled down on their criticism of the Miami Dolphins wide receiver who has been trash talking Olympics champion Noah Lyles.
“He’s not just seeking the limelight—he’s shifting the narrative and building his legacy. He wants to redefine the way the sport looks and operates, making it more professional, more exciting, and more lucrative. And let’s be honest, track and field needs that,” he said.
Lyles’ vision for track and field goes beyond personal accolades. By injecting entertainment value into the sport, he attracts greater visibility, which in turn brings more sponsorships, higher prize money, and greater respect for the athletes. However, with that ambition comes immense pressure.
“Every time Noah steps on the track, he has to deliver. There’s no ‘I’ll get them next time’ mindset—he has to win, every time. Why? Because if he’s pushing a new vision for the sport, he can’t afford to be the guy losing races. He has to back it up with results. That’s a tall order,” Gatlin added.
)
Noah Lyles has shared invaluable advise with Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout on handling pressure and criticism.
Lyles, the reigning 100m Olympic champion from the 2024 Paris Olympics, exemplified his larger-than-life persona at the New Balance Grand Prix on February 2.
Sporting an all-white outfit reminiscent of NBA stars, he made a grand entrance before storming to victory in the 60m race, clocking 6.52 seconds.
He triumphed over Terrence Jones and Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs, who claimed second and third respectively.
)
The former world indoor champion is making a bold return, sending warnings to Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo, and others.
Beyond the track, Lyles isn’t afraid to stir up rivalries. Recently, he reignited his challenge to NFL star Tyreek Hill by wearing a bib that read “Tyreek could never,” a bold statement keeping their competitive feud alive.yj
With his performances and persona, Noah Lyles is proving that track and field can be more than just a competition—it can be a spectacle.
His ability to blend entertainment with elite athleticism is setting a new standard, one that could change the sport’s future forever.
