Olympics 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin has lauded Noah Lyles for lifting the standards of track and field due to his outgoing personality and outspokenness.
American sprinter Rai Benjamin has hailed Noah Lyles for improving the profile of track and field around the world.
Lyles has been one of the most vocal athletes in recent years with his statements and stunts ruffling feathers but while some do not like them, Benjamin is a big fan.
The Olympics 400m hurdles champion feels Lyles’ vocal nature has turned the spotlight on the sport, giving athletes the attention that they were not getting while helping popularise track and field.
“Noah Lyles really changed the game man. You can keep fooling yourself but he really changed the game,” Benjamin posted on X.
His comment drew mixed reactions with some not agreeing with his assessment and he had to explain why he thinks Lyles has been a positive influence on the sport.
“For everyone asking how. Being DENSE on purpose is so interesting to me lol,” he said in another post.
“Nonetheless. The level of attention he [Lyles] brought after sprint/during the games/post OLY [Olympics]. The fact that that post even triggered you. Dude changed the game forever. Whether you like it or not.”
Lyles has been the subject of discussion on various platforms due to his comments on a number of issues and the one that riled fans more was when he said NBA players should not be calling themselves ‘world champions’ for winning a title.
He continues to draw both praise and criticism and there was more at the Paris Olympics when he said he was suffering from COVID-19 after losing the 200m gold to Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, having entered the stadium in high spirits.
10:25 - 22.08.2024
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Lyles had claimed his rivals would be ‘depressed’ during the race as he was so sure of winning before the sting in the tail when it mattered most.