“I know that I’m going to break it.” Noah Lyles failed to fulfill the prophecy he made about Usain Bolt’s 100m world record in 2023. However, he did exit the Paris Olympics with the 100m crown on his head. And that makes him the #1 man in the 100m in the world right now. But does that end the discussion there? Is he now the ultimate 100m GOAT? Well, there is something more that the American track and field coaches opine that he still needs to achieve. Any idea what that is?

Well, Noah Lyles’ 100m accolades need no introduction. He’s the reigning Olympic champion and the World champion in the distance, thanks to his Paris and Budapest performances. Other than that, he has the 2019 Diamond League 100m title to his name and 4 individual DL race wins in the distance. No, we aren’t forgetting that he is the reigning U.S. 100m champion too and has one more of that title from 2018. But he has a crucial race upcoming this year: The World Championships 2025. And this is the win that can be the make-or-break one for him. Who says this? Well, there are a few veteran American track and field names who debated over it recently.

May 8, on the latest episode of “The Final Leg Track & Field,” Anderson Emerole, Anson Henry, and Coach Rob came together to debate: “Can Noah Lyles enter the 100m GOAT discussion in 2025?” That’s when Coach Rob opined that Noah Lyles should likely enter the GOAT discussion, “If he does win the world in the 100 again. because we now say he is officially the king of this era...” Because if he does that, they say, “He’s in the goat discussion, meaning like he’s on the Mount Rushmore.”

While Anson Henry too showed trust in Noah Lyles’ abilities saying, “Even me this year I’m kind of doubting he’ll be able to do it right but he he always rectifies doubts he does he does he he has rectified my doubts time after time after time right which is which is commendable…” However, Anderson brings in the dynamic of how Lyles is still in the backseat compared to the other GOATS. He names athletes like Carl Lewis, who had 2 Olympic and 2 World golds. And Justin Gatlin has all three colors of Olympic 100m medals, along with 2 world golds and 3 world silvers. Henry chimes in by saying that Noah’s era was when the 100m was more competitive. But the figures will always be supreme, right?

Also, in any case, the most common aspect among all these 100m masters was a double 100m World champion title. So if Noah Lyles wins that in Tokyo, he possibly should be on his way to enter the GOAT list. Until then, that status might be hanging in the balance. But will that be so easy to grab that World crown in this day and age? No. Especially with a lot of newer talent coming to the forefront now. Just look at this boy, who at 17, is faster than Noah Lyles was at his age.

Noah Lyles has newer competition to defeat?

Well, 2025 is the year when newer 100m phenoms have risen to the fore. There’s Gout Gout, the Australian teen prodigy who broke the 10s barrier in the 100m twice in the same day. But alas, those were both wind illegal times. There’s also Tate Taylor, the boy, who at 17, has just run the second fastest time in the world this year, after Akani Simbine. In doing so, he has leapfrogged over Erriyon Knighton and Noah Lyles on the all-time high schoolers list.

Plus, Noah Lyles hasn’t even opened his 100m season so far this year. While sprinters like Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek are testing their skills at the Grand Slam Track and other meets, Noah Lyles remains away from the competitive picture. He did show up at the New Balance indoor grand prix, but for the 60m. So, under these conditions, do you think a 100m world title is feasible for him? If yes, will it push him into the GOAT discussion? Let us know your thoughts below!