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Noah Lyles Argues His Controversial Inclusion In The Relay Race Made People “Care About The 4×4”

Published 03/12/2024, 8:50 AM EDT

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Last month, Noah Lyles showcased his talents in the World Indoor Championships’ 4×400 relay race, venturing into unfamiliar territory. Despite his limited experience in this event, he showcased remarkable prowess, contributing significantly to the U.S. team’s silver medal achievement. Despite initially facing criticism while participating in this race because of his inexperience, Lyles shared how people now thank him.

However, Fred Kerley and more athletes expressed dissatisfaction with his participation in the event, which sparked a debate. Despite Lyles’ crucial role in securing the USA’s victory, his contribution has been subject to scrutiny. Recently, he shared his thoughts on the matter.

Lyles reflects on the impact of his performance and the power of storytelling in sports

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After delivering a stellar performance in the relay race, and securing a silver medal for Team USA, Lyles recently shared to Business Live about the impact of his contribution. He recounted the numerous instances where individuals approached him, expressing their newfound enthusiasm for the 4×4 relay, and thanking him for his involvement. “I can’t tell you how many comments and people have come up to me saying,I didn’t even care about the 4×4 until you went to it,’ Lyles shared, emphasizing the power of personality in enhancing the appeal of the sport.

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He recognized the significance of storytelling in bridging the gap between the audience and the sport, stating, People need stories to connect with, and I love telling stories. However, as Lyles remains forward-focused, gearing up for the upcoming Paris event, Fred’s comment still lingers in the minds of many.

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Debating Noah Lyles’ role in the US Men’s 4x400m relay team

Fred Kerley started a debate regarding Noah Lyles’ participation in the US men’s 4x400m relay team, expressing his ire. Lyles, who harbors ambitions beyond the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, contributed to Team USA’s silver medal in the 4x400m relay in Glasgow. Expressing dissent, Kerley argues that Lyles lacks the requisite experience and asserts that specialists like himself and Kenny Bednarek, who have sought inclusion in previous championships but were overlooked, should have been prioritized.

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Voicing on Twitter, Kerley condemned what he perceives as favoritism within US Track and Field, labelling it as puppetry and decrying the absence of middle ground in selection processes. Despite the differing opinions, Lyles’ performance remains a subject of intrigue as he navigates a demanding schedule leading up to the Paris Games, where he and Kerley are set to clash in both the 100m and 200m events, amidst uncertainties about his participation in multiple races and a potential world record attempt.

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Written by:

Maleehah Shakeel

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Maleehah Shakeel is an Olympic Sports writer at EssentiallySports who covers equestrian sports, rodeo, bull riding, and Gymnastics. Maleehah’s stories revolve around various brand endorsement deals of athletes like Jessica Springsteen, Jennifer Gates, and Olivia Dunne. She has written in depth about the brand collaboration between Jessica Springsteen and Tommy Hilfiger.
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Edited by:

Himanshu Sridhar