9 Months to Paris Olympics: Dominant Noah Lyles Gets Vital Message from Usain Bolt

• Track and field

On September 16, NBC unveiled the much-anticipated second episode of "Untitled: The Noah Lyles Project," a documentary series that provides an intimate look into the life of world champion sprinter Noah Lyles. In this episode, Lyles delved into the health challenges he faced during his childhood and recounted his historic triple victory at the 2023 World Athletics Championship.

However, the episode had a surprise guest that left viewers buzzing with excitement. In a twist that had fans on the edge of their seats, Usain Bolt, the legendary figure in track and field, made a special appearance as Lyles' mentor.

With just nine months remaining before the Paris Olympics, Bolt had an important message for the 26-year-old sprinting sensation. The central focus of Lyles' career in recent years has been his ambition to break Usain Bolt's 200-meter world record of 19.19 seconds.

In this latest episode, Bolt shared his invaluable wisdom and advice for Lyles as he prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bolt, the Jamaican sprinting icon, emphasized the importance of unwavering determination on the path to breaking records.

He stated, "The chances are always there. I mean, it's going to take a lot more work and determination. I'll always say anything is possible; don't impose limits on yourself. But I didn't make it easy, so it's not going to be a walk in the park.

All I can do is wish him all the best."

Lyles's Near Miss at Record

Bolt's message to Lyles came in the wake of the American sprinter's narrowly missed attempt to break the record at the 2023 World Athletics Championship.

Lyles secured gold in the 200 meters with a remarkable time of 19.52 seconds, a mere 0.33 seconds away from Bolt's record. Despite the near miss, Bolt's legacy remains formidable even 14 years after he set the record. In an unexpected turn of events, Lyles opted not to pursue the record at the Diamond League finals, choosing instead to showcase his prowess on the 100-meter track in Oregon.

The decision not to challenge Bolt's record surprised many fans, as they had anticipated a showdown between Lyles and Erriyon Knighton in the 200-meter finals. Instead, on September 16, Lyles competed against Letsile Tebogo in the 100-meter Diamond League finals.

He concluded the season by securing the second position with a time of 9.85 seconds, while his teammate Christian Coleman claimed the Diamond League trophy with a blistering 9.83 seconds. In spite of falling short of his record-breaking goal this year, Noah Lyles continues to enjoy the full support and encouragement of Usain Bolt.

With unwavering determination and a passion for athletics, Lyles remains steadfast in his pursuit of breaking the 200-meter world record at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Bolt's message serves as a beacon of motivation for Lyles as he strives to etch his name in the annals of track and field history.