Olympic men's 100m champion Noah Lyles has defended girlfriend Junelle Bromfield against cyberbullying related to their relationship during the Paris Games.
Noah Lyles has supported his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield as she faced a torrent of cyberbullying related to her relationship with the Olympic 100 meters champion.
Bromfield,who recently competed in the Paris Olympic Games for Jamaica, spoke out against the abuse she endured, which escalated during the competition.
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The backlash primarily came from social media users in her home country, Jamaica, where some labeled her a "sell-out" for dating Lyles, an American.
The situation grew severe enough to include death threats pushing Lyles to publicly share a message of support and admiration for Bromfield.
“Baby you are and will always be an inspiration to all little girls feeling this exact way. I can’t wait for the day that you tell your story in full because every girl that has felt what you are going through will know how amazing they can be and go on to do amazing things!," Lyles wrote in a heartfelt post.
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This public statement came shortly after Bromfield's participation in the Paris Games, where she competed in the 4x400m mixed relay and the 400m events.
Despite her team finishing fifth in the relay and her exit in the semifinals of the 400m, her spirits remained high, supported by her partner’s encouragement and the solidarity of several fellow Olympians, including Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas, who also voiced their support online.
Lyles and Bromfield have been a couple since 2022 but first met via social media in 2017.
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Their paths crossed physically at the Tokyo Olympics, where both were competing while in relationships with other people.
They reconnected at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Lyles excelled, securing a gold medal in the men’s 100-meter final and a bronze in the 200-meter final.
His achievements were slightly overshadowed by his health struggles, as he was diagnosed with COVID-19, which led him to withdraw from the men’s 4x100 meter relay.
The duo's relationship and the challenges they face highlight a broader issue of cyberbullying in sports, where athletes often face scrutiny not just for their performances but for their personal lives and choices.
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The pressure can be immense particularly when national pride and international relationships are involved.
Sports psychologists emphasize the importance of mental health support for athletes especially when dealing with online harassment.