'Those four' - Noah Lyles ignored as Usain Bolt names American star in ultimate 4x100m team

Usain Bolt (left) and new Olympic champion Noah Lyles (right).

'Those four' - Noah Lyles ignored as Usain Bolt names American star in ultimate 4x100m team

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 07:43 - 31.10.2024

There is no place for Olympic champion Noah Lyles in Usain Bolt's ultimate dream team for 4x100m.

Legendary sprinter Usain Bolt has named his ultimate 4x100m relay dream team, conspicuously excluding recent Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles from the lineup.

Speaking on a recentl podcast, the Jamaican track legend outlined a formidable quartet that would begin with Asafa Powell, followed by Justin Gatlin and Yohan Blake, with Bolt himself running the anchor leg.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist expressed complete confidence that this combination would be unbeatable if competing in their prime.

“It would definitely be Asafa to start, then Justin, Yohan Blake and me at anchor,” Bolt stated per TalkSport. “Those would be the four."

Olympic legend Usain Bolt ended his athletics career ended in 2017..
Olympic legend Usain Bolt ended his athletics career ended in 2017..

The omission of Lyles, who recently claimed gold in the men's 100m at the Paris Olympics, is a quick reminder of the high standards set during Bolt's era.

While Lyles has emerged as one of track and field's current brightest stars, even at the age of 27, he still appears to have work ahead to rank among Bolt's all-time elites.

Noah Lyles dominated the 100m event at the Paris Olympics

Bolt's own legacy includes standing world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay and also the most decorated Olympian on track and field.

Looking ahead, Lyles will have opportunities to further cement his place in sprinting history, starting with the World Athletics Championships in September 2025 being his next major target.

Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt at the 2012 London Olympics (Credit: Imago)

For now, though, his exclusion from Bolt's dream team serves as a reminder of the towering standards set by previous generations in the sport.

Meanwhile, the talented star and current face of athletics in the world, Lyles, has been nominated for the USATF Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year award.

Noah Lyles is the current face of Athletics.

Lyles nomination for the prestigious award means he has a great chance of making it back-to-back wins.

The award is the highest honour given to the best American track and field male athlete in a season, with the Olympic champion set to battle six exceptional stars nominated this year.

Tags: