Noah Lyles Faces Mental Health Battle Amidst Paris Olympics

Noah Lyles, American sprinting sensation, is grappling with newfound fame at the ongoing Paris Olympics. The 14,000 athletes and sports officials are proving to be an overwhelming audience for Lyles as he seeks solace from his escalating celebrity status.

Just a week into the global tournament, Lyles is questioning his comfort in the spotlight. “I’m struggling with my mental,” he admitted at Monday’s U.S. track and field team news conference. His popularity in the Olympic village has come with unintended challenges.

Lyles has resorted to unconventional dining hours and secluded spots in the dining area to evade constant attention. He’s also finding it hard to maintain his workout routine without interruptions from fellow athletes eagerly seeking his attention.

The sprinter’s prominent role in Netflix’s new track documentary “SPRINT” has amplified his fame. His three world championships last summer in the 100, 200, and 4×100 relay events initially paved his way to stardom. Yet, despite his contributions to promoting himself and his sport, Lyles is struggling to balance public and private life within the confined quarters of the Olympic village.

The village, housing athletes and officials in Paris for these 17 days, limits his control over personal space. “I don’t want to leave. But I feel like after these Olympics, I’m going to have to have conversations higher up than me in making that more available,” he explained. Even though he’s not the village’s most popular figure, the challenges he faces resonate with many.

Unlike the U.S. gymnastics team led by Simone Biles, LeBron James and the U.S. men’s basketball team aren’t residing in the village. Usain Bolt, another legendary sprinter, once reveled in village life but eventually required his own room in 2016 due to his immense popularity.

Lyles has never shied away from discussing his mental and emotional well-being. He works with three therapists and reflects on how the atmosphere at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games affected his performance. “This is not fun. This is not cool. This is not what I wanted,” he recalled of his bronze-winning 200-meter final in Tokyo.

Since then, Lyles has remained undefeated in the 200-meter race and emerged as a formidable contender in the 100-meter. He is among the star athletes of the Olympic track events. “This is what I dream of, is these moments right here,” he exclaimed, alluding to his love for large crowds.

However, the constant requests for selfies and autographs are wearing on him. “We still are human beings, and we still want to be able to have our space and our time,” Lyles expressed. “I want to enjoy the Olympics just like you guys are. Trying to find a safe place has been a little difficult these last few days as I’m trying to prepare and dive deep into my mental state.”