Few Olympic moments carry the weight of a photo-finish 100m final. When Noah Lyles crossed the line in Paris on August 4, 2024, he didn’t just win gold—he confirmed a personal best of 9.79 seconds that rewrote his own ceiling.

4 related posts

100m personal best: 9.79 seconds (2024 Olympic final) ·
200m personal best: 19.31 seconds (2022 World Championships) ·
Olympic gold medals: 1 (100m, Paris 2024) ·
World Championships gold medals: 6 ·
Diagnosed conditions: Dyslexia, ADHD, asthma, allergies, anxiety, depression

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether he will break Usain Bolt’s 100m world record (9.58s) – no current evidence of a sub-9.70 run
  • Exact net worth – estimates vary widely across sources
  • Long-term health impact of COVID-19 on his career – contracted virus after 200m final in Paris
3Timeline signal
  • 1997: Born in Gainesville, Florida
  • 2021: Tokyo Olympics – bronze in 200m
  • 2023: Triple gold at World Championships (100m, 200m, 4x100m)
  • 2024: Olympic 100m gold in 9.79s, 200m bronze, revealed COVID-19
4What’s next
  • World Championships 2025 in Tokyo – chance to defend 100m/200m titles
  • Potential attempt at Bolt’s 200m world record (19.19s) – Lyles’ PB is 19.31s
  • Continued advocacy for neurodiversity awareness in sports

The table below captures the essential biographical data for Noah Lyles.

Key facts about Noah Lyles
Attribute Value
Full name Noah Lyles
Date of birth July 18, 1997
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 165 lb (75 kg)
Event 100m, 200m, 4×100m relay
Professional debut 2016
Coach Lance Brauman

Is Noah Lyles faster or Usain Bolt?

The headline question is simple, but the answer demands context. Noah Lyles is the reigning Olympic 100m champion, but Usain Bolt still holds the ultimate time. One comparison, two very different legacies.

How does Noah Lyles’ 100m time compare to Usain Bolt’s?

Noah Lyles ran a personal best of 9.79 seconds in the Paris 2024 final – a time that won gold in the deepest 100m field ever assembled, according to World Athletics (governing body). That mark is 0.21 seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin (Olympics.com – official Olympic news outlet). In sprint terms, that gap is enormous: at top speed, it translates to roughly 2 metres.

Why this matters

Noah Lyles earned the title “fastest man alive” as Olympic champion, but the actual fastest time ever run belongs to Bolt. The distinction matters for how fans and sponsors value legacy. Lyles needs a sub-9.70 performance to enter that conversation seriously.

What is Usain Bolt’s world record?

Usain Bolt’s 9.58 seconds is the official men’s 100m world record (World Athletics database). He also holds the 200m world record (19.19s). Bolt is an eight-time Olympic champion, while Lyles has one Olympic gold and six World Championship golds (World Athletics).

Three numbers, one pattern: Bolt’s records are still out of reach.

The comparison table below shows the head-to-head numbers.

Noah Lyles vs Usain Bolt – 100m and 200m bests
Athlete 100m PB 200m PB Olympic 100m golds World Champs 100m golds
Noah Lyles 9.79 (Paris 2024) 19.31 (2022) 1 1
Usain Bolt 9.58 WR (Berlin 2009) 19.19 WR (Berlin 2009) 3 3
Gap 0.21 sec 0.12 sec −2 −2
Bottom line: The implication: Lyles has proven he can win when it counts, but he hasn’t come within 0.15 seconds of Bolt’s world record. Until he does, Bolt remains the benchmark.

What disability does Noah Lyles have?

Lyles has been open about a set of conditions that might seem at odds with elite sprinting – yet he says they fuel him.

Does Noah Lyles have dyslexia?

Yes. Lyles has publicly stated he has dyslexia, a learning difference that affects reading and writing. He also has attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD). According to a Substack post by Robert Glazer (personal blog), Lyles said, “I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression.”

What other health conditions does Noah Lyles manage?

The same post lists asthma, allergies, anxiety, and depression. An ESPN preview (major sports media outlet) noted he overcame asthma and depression on his path to Paris. Lyles has also mentioned a diagnosis of ADHD. He treats these conditions with medication and therapy, and credits them for giving him a unique perspective.

The paradox

Lyles turns conditions that usually impair focus into a sprinting advantage: his ADHD hyperfocus kicks in at the starting blocks. His advocacy message – “what you have does not define what you can become” – resonates far beyond sport.

What was Noah Lyles 100m time?

His official personal best is 9.79 seconds, set on the biggest stage.

What was his winning time at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Lyles won the men’s 100m gold on August 4, 2024, in 9.79 seconds – a photo finish with Kishane Thompson (who entered with a 9.77 PB). World Athletics called it “the deepest men’s 100m race of all time”.

What is his official personal best?

That 9.79 is both his winning time and his career-best. His previous PB was 9.86 seconds (2023). The improvement of 0.07 seconds in one year is significant for a 27-year-old sprinter. World Athletics (official records body) lists him as world #1 in the 200m and #3 in the 100m rankings.

The pattern: Lyles is still improving, and his 100m ceiling might not yet be reached.

Who is the fastest man alive?

The phrase is used loosely, but there are two definitions: the Olympic champion and the world record holder.

Is Noah Lyles currently considered the fastest?

As reigning Olympic champion, Lyles is frequently called “the fastest man in the world” by media. However, the title traditionally attaches to the world record holder. World Athletics (track & field governing body) confirms Bolt’s 9.58 still stands.

Who holds the official world record?

Usain Bolt (Jamaica) holds the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds, set on August 16, 2009 (Olympics.com – official Olympic source). The record has stood for 15 years. No athlete has come within 0.12 seconds of it since.

The catch: Lyles is the fastest man currently active, but the fastest ever remains Bolt. The gap of 0.21 seconds means Lyles would need to shave about 2.2% off his best to equal the record – a monumental ask for a sprinter already in his prime.

Is Noah Lyles’ mum Jamaican?

Yes – and his family background is a key part of his identity and sprint heritage.

What is Noah Lyles’ ethnic background?

His mother, Keisha Caine, is Jamaican. His father, Kevin Lyles, was a sprinter at the University of Florida. World Athletics biography confirms his Jamaican heritage. Lyles often celebrates his Jamaican roots, including a flag-wrapped celebration after Olympic wins.

How did his family influence his sprinting career?

Both parents were athletes. Kevin Lyles ran 4×400m for the US collegiate system. Keisha Caine instilled a Jamaican mindset of fierce competition. Lyles has said his mother’s discipline shaped his work ethic. The blend of American sprint coaching and Jamaican sprint culture gave him a unique foundation.

What this means: Lyles embodies the transnational nature of modern sprinting – American-born with Jamaican lineage, much like many of his top competitors. His heritage also connects him to the Caribbean sprint tradition that produced Bolt.

Timeline of Noah Lyles’ career

  • – Born in Gainesville, Florida
  • – Wins World U20 100m gold
  • – First World Championship gold in 200m
  • – Tokyo Olympics – bronze in 200m
  • – Triple gold at World Championships (100m, 200m, 4×100m)
  • – Olympic 100m gold in 9.79s (personal best)
  • – 200m bronze; reveals COVID-19 diagnosis after the race

What we know and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Noah Lyles won the Olympic 100m gold in Paris 2024 (9.79s) – World Athletics
  • He has dyslexia, ADHD, asthma, allergies, anxiety, and depression – Robert Glazer Substack (self-reported)
  • His mother Keisha Caine is Jamaican – World Athletics
  • Usain Bolt’s 100m world record is 9.58s (2009) – Olympics.com
  • Lyles is a six-time World Championships gold medallist – World Athletics

What’s unclear

  • Whether he will ever break Bolt’s 100m world record (9.58s) – no sub-9.70 performance to date
  • Exact net worth – estimates vary widely across sources
  • Long-term health impact of COVID-19 on his career – contracted virus after 200m final in Paris
Additional sources

101espn.com, youtube.com, skysports.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, betterhelp.com, worldathletics.org, finlandnews.fi

For a deeper look into how Noah Lyles’ journey compares with Usain Bolt’s legacy, read Noah Lyles vs Usain Bolt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is Noah Lyles in miles per hour?

At his top speed during the 9.79-second 100m, Lyles averaged about 22.8 mph. His peak velocity likely exceeded 27 mph, though official splits vary by race.

Does Noah Lyles have asthma?

Yes. Lyles has publicly stated he has asthma, along with allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and depression, as reported in a personal blog post.

What is Noah Lyles’ 200m personal best?

His 200m personal best is 19.31 seconds, set at the 2022 World Championships. That ranks him as the fourth-fastest man in history over 200m.

Did Noah Lyles run with COVID at the 2024 Olympics?

Lyles revealed a COVID-19 diagnosis after the 200m final on August 10, 2024. He had competed in the 100m and 200m events before disclosing the positive test.

How many world records does Noah Lyles hold?

Noah Lyles does not currently hold any individual world records. His 100m personal best (9.79s) is 0.21 seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s world record (9.58s).

What is Noah Lyles’ height and weight?

Noah Lyles is 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) tall and weighs 165 lb (75 kg), according to his World Athletics profile.

How did Noah Lyles manage his dyslexia while training?

Lyles has said his ADHD hyperfocus helps him lock in at the starting blocks. He uses medication and therapy to manage his conditions, and credits his neurodiversity for giving him a unique competitive edge.