The 2024 Olympics are only months away, and understandably the final preparations are in order. Along with the world’s top track and field athletes, America’s Noah Lyles is also itching to show his mettle to etch his name among the sport’s highest pantheon. While Lyles continues to make explosive claims about his ambitions for the upcoming Games, many of his colleagues think putting all the eggs in one basket might be a hasty decision. Former sprinters Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin also share a similar view.

Only a couple of days ago, Powell, the fourth fastest man in history put forward his views, sounding skeptical about Lyles’ ability to edge past Jamaican icon Usain Bolt. And now, another US legend joins the fold, standing behind Powell’s statements about Noah’s shortcomings.

Noah Lyles not impressive enough for former stars?

In a recent Twitter post (now called X), Gatlin seemed to support Olympic gold medalist Asafa’s claims about what he thinks Noah can achieve in Paris later this year. Sharing Citius Mag’s post from two days ago captioned with three “100” emojis, the five-time Olympic medalist Gatlin made it clear that he walks the same path when talking about the six-time World Championships gold medalist Lyles’ potential chances to overthrow Usain Bolt from his high pedestal.

In the post shared by Citius Mag on March 25, Asfa said that he thought only the 200m world record could be up for grabs at the upcoming Olympics. “The only record I see possibly someone going close to is maybe the 200m“, noted the Jamaican. He further said that he believed that Bolt could have run faster if he chose to in the 200m event, making it difficult for the rest to ever come close to his remarkable record.

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However, Powell also mentioned that he doesn’t see the 100m world record by Bolt being shattered any time soon. While the two former Olympians continue to cast a shadow on Lyles’ prowess, the undisputed king of the track seems to hold a different opinion.

Usain Bolt holds a different opinion

Lyles’ personal best record in the 100m race is 9.83, which brought him gold at the 2023 World Championships. On the other hand, his 200m personal best time stands at an impressive 19.31, achieved in 2022. The records set and currently held by Bolt in these two events are 9.58 and 19.19, both attained at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. With Lyles coming within touching distance of Bolt’s feat, the Jamaican legend himself believes the young American has pretty good chances of edging past his own records if he makes a few tweaks to his running ways.

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However, Lyles’ quest for his maiden Olympic gold won’t be easy with his competition looking at the top of their game as well. From Christian Coleman, who sent out ripples after winning the 60m dash at the 2024 World Indoor Championships, to Fred Kerley and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, Lyles will have to climb a steep mountain if he wishes to sit atop the charts with the sport’s elite stars.

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