The American Olympic champion Noah Lyles has expressed gratitude for the Virginia Senate's recognition and a heartfelt hometown celebration.
Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles has acknowledged the recognition he received from the Virginia Senate and the warm reception his hometown of Alexandria provided during a special event in his honor.
The city rolled out the red carpet for its local hero on Sunday marking his incredible achievements in track and field while the Senate passed a resolution commending his outstanding career.
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Lyles, who won gold in the 100-meter sprint at the Paris Olympics this summer and bronze in the 200-meter sprint, expressed his gratitude for the tributes he received from both the city of Alexandria and the state of Virginia.
"Thank you so much Alexandria Government. I know this was last minute but it made a lot that so many of you came out today! And thank you State of Virginia for this Resolution," Lyles wrote on his social media.
The resolution passed by the Senate and House of Delegates praised Lyles for his exceptional accomplishments, tracing his journey from Alexandria's T.C. Williams High School to becoming one of the fastest men in the world.
The document highlighted Lyles' early career milestones, including his victory at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 Pan American U20 Athletics Championships, as well as his 2019 title as the U.S. Men's Athlete of the Year by Track and Field News.
"Noah Lyles' accomplishments are the result of his relentless hard work, world-class talent, and matchless determination, making him an inspiration for young athletes throughout the Commonwealth," the resolution read.
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Born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Alexandria, Lyles started his sprinting career at T.C. Williams High School, where he broke onto the scene by setting a national high school record in the 200-meter event during the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016.
Since then, he has gone on to claim five Diamond League titles and has consistently proven himself on the world stage, winning gold at the World Championships in 2019, 2022, and 2023, in addition to his bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Senate resolution also touched on Lyles' contributions to his community and his ongoing support for his high school track and field team.
Over the years, he has donated sprinting equipment and returned to inspire the next generation of athletes, sharing his trophies and stories with the students of his alma mater.
"On several occasions, Noah Lyles has demonstrated his appreciation for the T.C. Williams High School track and field program, and the role it played in his development as an athlete," the resolution noted.
During the tribute event in Alexandria, the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation, co-founded by Noah and his brother, took the opportunity to host a coat drive for the local community.
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With a massive turnout the foundation collected new and gently used coats to donate to Alexandrians in need further demonstrating the family's commitment to giving back.
Noah Lyles' career continues to reach new heights, with his recent Paris Olympics victory cementing his status as one of the most decorated sprinters of his generation.