Noah Lyles hopes his electrifying Olympic 100m win will revolutionize track and field in the U.S., beginning with a lucrative sports shoe contract akin to Michael Jordan's. The 27-year-old American soared to new heights of fame on Sunday, ending a 20-year drought for the U.S. in the most prestigious Olympic sprint event. Lyles has often lamented the low visibility of track and field in the U.S., overshadowed by the NBA, NFL, and baseball. However, he sees his heart-stopping victory and the recent Netflix series 'Sprint' as a chance for both the sport and himself to capitalize.
"I aim to continue leveraging moments for our sport," Lyles stated at a press conference. "'Sprint' was a huge success, and I'm aware that season two is already in production. They've done a great job in promoting our sport." He emphasized the need for accessibility, urging the sport to make itself readily available for public viewing, rather than being hidden on obscure websites.
On a personal note, Lyles aspires to have a major sports brand create his own signature shoe, similar to Jordan's Nike deal. He pointed out that few U.S. track and field athletes, including legends like Michael Johnson, have had this opportunity. "I want my own shoe. I'm serious. I want a sneaker. There's no money in spikes," he declared. Lyles was also pleased to fulfill his season-long claim of being unbeatable.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe praised Lyles as an exemplary ambassador for the sport. Lyles won gold by a mere five thousandths of a second in the most tightly contested men's 100m final in Olympic history. Coe described Lyles' victory as nearly perfect, noting his impact on the sport's narrative, drawing parallels to Usain Bolt.
