Noah Lyles is an American track and field athlete who has won multiple gold medals at the World Championships and holds several national records.
Lyles is considered one of the fastest men in the world and is a favorite in several events for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
But he’s not quite sure about representing America in those Olympics. From a sports aspect, he seems proud, declaring America as the best in the world when it comes to track and field athletic competitions.
When it comes to representing the nation as whole, however? Well, that’s a bit of a different story.
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Noah Lyles: It’s Hard Being Black In America
Without citing specifics, Noah Lyle suggested it’s difficult to represent this nation because, as a black man, it’s hard to live in America.
“It’s a bittersweet moment,” he told Fox News. “I’m American, and I truly believe that we are the best in the world, especially when it comes to sports. We have definitely been proving that dominance. … And it feels good to add on to that collection that the U.S. is the best.”
There was a but.
“But at the same time, it’s with a heavy heart, because being black in America, there’s a lot to deal with,” added Lyles. “I’m not going to go into everything, but it’s not easy. It’s hard to love the country that sometimes doesn’t love you back.”
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Owner Of The Richest Contract In The Sport
It’s unclear what personal hardships Noah Lyles has experienced or seen as a black athlete in America. It would seem the nation does indeed love him back, heralded as a top star who will be spotlighted in one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
He is quite clearly the face of track and field in the United States. A beloved athlete.
And he has certainly been shown the love financially. Lyles’ current contract with Adidas runs north of $2 million annually. His own marketing agency describes the contract as “the richest contract in the sport of track and field since the retirement of Usain Bolt.”
But he wants you to think it’s been a hard-knock life.
“I wish I was able to say how much it [new contract with Adidas] was.”
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 1, 2024
Noah Lyles states now most track and field stars are getting paid, there should be more transparency and the sport has to adjust with it 💬
He also says there was a number in there close to the $20m people… pic.twitter.com/MEhbG0TUnp
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has described Noah Lyles as “flagrantly ignorant” regarding comments suggesting his track achievements are more impressive than being a ‘world’ champion in other sports.
“What hurts me the most is I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have ‘World Champion’ on their heads,” Lyles said. “World Champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong. I love the U.S. at times. But that ain’t the world.”
His latest comments suggesting it’s hard to be black in America won’t convince people that Smith isn’t dead on when he describes Lyles as “ignorant.”
Don’t like America? Don’t race in the Olympics. Then forfeit the money you earned as a star representing the country.
