Noah Lyles, ever the lightning rod for attention, is back in the headlines—not just for his blazing speed but for his blunt opinions. The self-proclaimed “world’s fastest man” stirred the pot once again with his recent remarks about the 200m race during an interview with LetsRundotcom. When asked about his future plans, Lyles didn’t hold back, claiming, “Nobody cares about the 200.” For someone with two Olympic bronzes and three World Championship golds in the 200m, that hit differently! But Lyles had his reasons, explaining, “I learned that very quickly after breaking the American record and losing the Mondo (Duplantis) for athlete of the year. I was like, ‘They don’t care; they don’t care about the 200.’ “ Ouch, that stings!

Doubling down, Lyles added, “It’s fun to watch, but at the end of the day, the common people, non-track and field athletes, they don’t care about the 200. It’s the 100.” Sure, the 100m race is the jewel of Olympic glory, and Noah’s recent triumph in that event cemented his crown. But his bold comments have sparked a whirlwind of emotions in the track and field world. Some fans were left fuming, with one even writing, “Is he a fan of the sport, or is he just vibing because that was a trash statement.” Critics were quick to remind Lyles of the very race that propelled him to stardom. Yet, amidst the heat, there are voices rising in defense of his candor—proving once again that Noah Lyles knows how to keep the spotlight firmly on him.

Noah Lyles got backup!

In a video uploaded by The Final Leg Track and Field, Anderson Emerole came to Noah Lyles’ defense, shedding light on the athlete’s controversial remarks about the 200m. Emerole began by framing the situation, emphasizing that Lyles was directly asked which title he’d prioritize at the 2025 World Championships—the 100m or the 200m. His response? “The 100 meters makes perfect sense,” Emerole explained, given Noah’s unparalleled dominance in the 200m.

Lyles has racked up three World Championship golds, broken the American record with a blistering 19.31 seconds, and amassed more sub-20, sub-19.9, and even sub-19.8 performances than anyone in history. As Emerole put it, “When talking about a 200-meter career…. Noah’s essentially checked off every box.” What’s left? Perhaps a 200m Olympic gold and the elusive world record, but beyond that, Lyles’ legacy in this distance is already cemented.

The conversation shifted when Emerole delved into Lyles’ achievements in the 100m. While Lyles is the reigning 2023 World Champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist, Emerole noted that “he hasn’t done nearly as much over the 100 meters” compared to his dominance in the 200m. Even on the clock, Lyles’ 9.79-second personal best ranks him as the 12th fastest in history, behind names like Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman, with Marcel Jacobs close on his heels.

So, Emerole explained, it’s logical for Lyles to focus on building his 100m legacy, aiming to balance his reputation across both sprints. Addressing Lyles’ comment that “nobody cares about the 200,” Emerole acknowledged the backlash but said, “That holds some truth to it as well.” While it stirred emotions, Emerole suggested the statement reflects a broader reality of public perception. Now, even some fans are stepping up to back Noah Lyles and show their support for his bold comment!

Track and field fans support Lyles!

Yes, you heard that right! Noah Lyles is finally getting some love and support for his bold comment. One fan chimed in with, “What’s the difference in Noah saying this about the 200m and Fred saying the same about the 400m after he won world 100m gold?? The 100m brings the money, notoriety, and eyes, it’s the hard truth.” While Noah proudly carries the title of the “world’s fastest man,” Fred Kerley also had his moment earlier this year, declaring, “I was a walk-on. I am the greatest 400m that grace the NCAA rankings.” Interestingly, Fred’s statement didn’t stir as much controversy, but Noah’s remarks about the 200m have set the internet ablaze. Fans are now scratching their heads, wondering why one gets a pass while the other sparks such heated debates!

Another fan jumped in with a thoughtful take, saying, “Noah is allowed to pivot and re-write his story, allow him the grace and space to do so.” And honestly, we couldn’t agree more! Representing your country on the grand Olympic stage is no walk in the park, let alone snagging two medals at the Paris Games, including that golden glory in the 100m.

Another fan jumped in with their two cents, saying, “I mean it’s always been like that, this is why the 100m has always been the blue ribbon event of Track And Field and the Olympic games.” And they’re not wrong! A blue ribbon isn’t just any accolade—it’s a first-place badge of honor, a mark of excellence. The 100m has always held its throne as the crown jewel of the Olympics, dazzling fans with its electrifying moments and larger-than-life legends.

It doesn’t end there, though! One user weighed in, saying, “The 200 is definitely not as prestigious as the 100. The 200 without the one is not the same.” Which, honestly, kind of hits the nail on the head. Without the iconic 100m leading the way, the 200 just doesn’t have that same electric vibe. Over on a subreddit, the comparison gets even deeper. Someone pointed out, “If you really want to test how fast someone can all-out sprint, then it makes sense to see the 200m as the better race.” They made a solid case, saying that the 200m requires more time to build up speed, and the 100m is a bit too obsessed with the perfect start. Imagine a 20m race, where it’s all about the launch and not the sprint—doesn’t quite seem fair, right? So, they argue that the 200m might just be the true measure for crowning “the world’s fastest man.” Pretty interesting perspective when you look at it like that! And with the same thought, another user chimed in with, “I don´t like the guy, but he is right. The 200 is double the distance and not half as important. The 100m is the race that the world stops to watch at the Olympics. Only track fans care about the 200.”