'I have Asthma and Depression' - Noah Lyles shares a powerful message after winning his first Olympic gold medal

Noah Lyles won his first Olympic gold medal

'I have Asthma and Depression' - Noah Lyles shares a powerful message after winning his first Olympic gold medal

Funmilayo Fameso 03:47 - 05.08.2024

Noah Lyles's path to Olympic success was a journey that needed him to overcome some medical challenges, which he shared in a powerful message.

Noah Lyles showed up for the biggest race of his life at Paris 2024 Games, as he stormed to the finish line to win the men's 100m final in a new Personal Best (PB) of 9.79s and become USA's first Olympic champion in 20 years.

By doing this, he defeated Jamaica's new speed king in an identical time, but Lyles was given the edge by a faster reaction of 0.005, while Fred Kerley resurfaced on why he's a former world champion taking the bronze medal in 9.81s.

His victory meant a lot for so many reasons, first proving his critics wrong about being the man to beat as the world's fastest man and rising to the pressure of defending his ambitious words he would become the Olympic champion in Paris.

Noah Lyles won in a photo finish to claim his first Olympic 100m gold medal

Filled with emotions after his milestone achievement, the six-time world champion took to his X page detailing the medical challenges he overcame to get to this stage of his career.

"I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!"

This is the hallmark of a champion who didn't give up despite all odds against him in reaching his goals.

He still has unfinished business in Paris by gunning for the 200m and 4x100m gold medals (stands as outright favourite), and if successful will make him the third man in history to achieve such a feat behind legendary sprinters Carl Lewis and Usain Bolt.

Noah Lyles overcame several medical challenges to become the Olympic champion

Lyles's vocal and enigmatic personality makes him a target to downplay what he has achieved through the years at such a young age. But one thing is sure, if he continues at this pace, the American 'showman' blazing runner will end his career in the top three of the greatest sprinters in history.

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