Lyles và tham vọng vượt huyền thoại Usain Bolt

Lyles is the pride of America.

Noah Lyles wants to surpass Usain Bolt's record of five titles, to become the absolute ruler of the 200m race.

Dream of surpassing Bolt

A win in Tokyo would not only help Lyles bounce back from a disappointing 2021 Olympics, but also give him the chance to continue his great story. Bolt was once an untouchable “monument”, but Lyles now has the chance to break his senior’s record as he looks ahead to Beijing 2027 - where the World Championships will take place.

At 28, Lyles has shown maturity in form and spirit. He has openly declared that Los Angeles 2028 will be his last Olympics, and has even drawn up a blueprint for his retirement year: a few special races in countries he has never visited, a few races close to home, and a farewell in his own tournament.

However, Lyles's path to the record is not easy. Young athletes are rising strongly, creating an unprecedented fierce competition. Oblique Seville (24) won the 100m gold medal in Tokyo, Kishane Thompson of the same age has also emerged as a star, while Bryan Levell (21) and Letsile Tebogo (22, the new Olympic 200m champion) promise to go far.

Lyles exploded on the run.

In the 200m final in Tokyo, Lyles (28) was the second oldest, only behind Zharnel Hughes (UK). That clearly reflects the ongoing generational transition. And among the most notable names is Gout Gout - an Australian athlete who, at 17 years old, is the youngest to compete in the 200m at the Olympics, although he has not yet passed the semi-finals.

Clouds over the future of athletics

Lyles is now not only a record holder, but also a powerful marketing figure for global athletics. He knows how to turn every word, every gesture into a personal story. But behind that confident smile, there is still a lingering worry: can the sport that once captivated the world retain its appeal in a new era?

“The future of sprinting is uncertain. There are many talents, many new personalities, but no one knows which direction athletics will go,” he shared. At this time, the world has many people who love athletics, but most of them are flocking to marathons, while short-distance events are only the playground of professionals.

Lyles gave Gout as a specific example and he commented frankly: “He is so young and so talented, but athletics has seen many talents never reach the top. What matters is the path, the team and the preparation to not only be an athlete, but also a real sports entrepreneur.”

Lyles is the king of sprinting.

The uncertainty is evident in the unfinished projects. World Athletics is preparing to launch the Ultimate Championship to fill the gap in 2026, but Lyles is not sure if he will be there. The Netflix series Sprint – in which he appears alongside other stars – has an audience but has not achieved the global reach of F1’s Drive to Survive. Meanwhile, the legendary Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track project has collapsed due to financial difficulties.

Another issue is the mentality of the athletes themselves. According to Lyles, fear of criticism and a negative atmosphere among the fan base is holding back elite athletics, especially sprint events.

“We want to perform, we want to contribute, but we also want to be ourselves. However, sometimes that is not accepted because of the fear of public opinion. At the end of the day, this is just a sport. No one has to trade their life. Enjoy these moments as much as possible,” Lyles shared.

Source: https://znews.vn/lyles-va-tham-vong-vuot-huyen-thoai-usain-bolt-post1589825.html