When Noah Lyles announced that he would return to the fiery tracks of 400m, everyone was thrilled. After all, the current king of 100m hasn’t run in the format since 2016. Now, 9 years is a long time, but we are talking about the self-proclaimed fastest man on the planet. So when the 2025 Tom Jones Memorial was supposed to be his next outing, everyone thought that this would be yet another moment in Lyles’ long list of accolades. But what followed wasn’t something anyone was prepared for.
What started as an attempt to break Wayde Van Niekerk’s 43.03 world record wouldn’t even dent the record. The final time? A mediocre 45.87-second run. But more than Lyles losing, this also exposed his struggle for the long format’s final stretch. Not only that, but the race sparked a bigger debate. What’s that? Well, fans are questioning if Lyles, even at his peak, ever measures up to the greatest sprinter of all time. So what’s the expert’s take?
Well, enter the duo of Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green on the latest viral episode of the Ready Set Go podcast. Without wasting any time, the 2004 gold medalist cut to the chase and mentioned, “I don’t see Noah running down Usain.” Now, Gatlin might know a thing or two about racing against Lightning Bolt, being one of the few to defeat Bolt multiple times, most famously in the 100m finals at the 2017 World Championships.
But Gatlin wasn’t the only critic Lyles had, as Rodney Green soon chimed in with, “I don’t see anybody running down prime Usain.” Now, mind you, Lyles has been the fastest thing on the track for the last few, but it’s still nowhere near what Bolt achieved in his heyday. To end the discussion, fellow podcaster, Tidal League, a track analyst, sealed the deal with, “I love Noah, but I don’t see anybody running down Usain.”
Rebutting Green, League continued, “Prime or no prime, I don’t see anybody running down Usain.” And it seems the track pundits aren’t the only ones who are disappointed with Noah Lyles, as the fans have also expressed their outrage at his recent loss. This comes in a string of underwhelming performances this season.
Fans furious over Noah’s Bolt comparison
For all the controversy and polarizing statements, Lyles has come under some major fire. And this performance at the 400m race was the boiling point for it. After all, his bold claims don’t always match his performances, and fans aren’t holding back. “Noah almost lost a big final the other day to a new dude, so Noah is not even close,” one fan posted, referencing Lyles’ debacle in the recently held 400m race in which he could only secure 14th place. Why are fans so quick to pile on?
The trolling often centers on comparisons to sprinting legends, particularly Usain Bolt. Lyles has openly declared his ambition to break Bolt’s world records of 9.58 in the 100m and 19.19 in the 200m. However, fans argue he’s nowhere near those marks. “Usain jogged into a 9.8, like, c’mon, bro ,” one X user scoffed, highlighting Bolt’s effortless dominance.
Lyles’ fastest 100m, 9.83, is impressive but lags 0.25 seconds behind Bolt’s record. Fans point out that even Tyson Gay’s 9.69 and Blake’s 9.69 in the 100m outshine Lyles’ current ceiling. “Lyles hasn’t even topped Blake and Gay, never mind Usain. He hasn’t touched 9.6 yet ,” another fan jabbed. Is Lyles’ confidence outpacing his results? Lyles’s outspoken personality further fuels the backlash.
His claim on The Kelly Clarkson Show in July 2024, where he responded to being called the fastest man with a cautious “Yeah, let’s hope,” didn’t sit well with some fans. Some even interpreted it as arrogance. “It’s an insult to even have this conversation. Noah talks too much and he’s annoying as hell…,” an X user vented. The sentiment echoes broader criticism that Lyles’ showmanship overshadows his need for humility. Does Lyles’ flair make him a target?
The criticism extends to his performances in shorter sprints, like the 60m, where his personal best of 6.43 seconds is elite but not untouchable. “Noah can’t even crack 7s. Why are we talking about this? Giving hype to people who don’t deserve it,” one fan complained, exaggerating Lyles’ 60m time to underscore their point. Now the track season has barely started, and Lyles will have quite the time to set the record straight. But can he outrun the trolls and cement his legacy?
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