A Historic Victory in Paris
United States sprinter Noah Lyles solidified his status as the fastest man on earth by winning the gold medal in the 100-meter sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This victory marked the first time a U.S. male athlete has won this event since Justin Gatlin’s 2004 triumph. In a dramatic photo finish, Lyles clocked a time of 9.784 seconds, narrowly beating Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who finished at 9.789 seconds. This achievement secured Lyles’ first Olympic gold medal and his second Olympic medal overall.
Battling asthma on the path to glory
What makes Lyles’ achievement even more remarkable is his battle with asthma, a condition that can significantly impede an athlete’s performance. Asthma affects the airways in the lungs, making breathing difficult—an enormous challenge for a sprinter.
After his victory, Lyles took to social media to share his journey and the numerous obstacles he has overcome. “I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and depression,” Lyles posted on X (formerly Twitter). “But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”
Overcoming childhood challenges
Lyles has dealt with asthma since childhood, which once led to him being homeschooled. “Asthma definitely affects kind of everything I do in terms of health, physical fitness, and sometimes even emotional well-being,” Lyles told CNN in 2020. “If you’re emotionally fatigued, that can bring your immune system down.”
To manage his condition, Lyles takes several precautions, including frequent hand washing, taking vitamin C, and drinking warm water with lemon. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining high spirits to keep his immune system strong.
A journey of resilience
Lyles’ struggle with asthma began at a young age, leading to frequent hospital visits due to severe asthma attacks and a weakened immune system. “From about three to four, all the way to about seven years old, I was dealing with asthma and asthma attacks seriously, like in the hospital maybe every third night; coughing fits, constantly sick because my immune system was weak,” Lyles recalled.
A tonsillectomy, a change in diet, and the unwavering support of his mother eventually allowed Lyles to attend public school, where he faced additional challenges such as ADD and dyslexia. “Around second grade, I was diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia, which made standardized testing and even simple tasks like spelling tests extremely difficult,” Lyles said.
An inspiration to all
Despite these hurdles, Lyles has demonstrated that determination and resilience can overcome significant obstacles. His gold medal win at the Paris Olympics stands as a testament to his incredible spirit and dedication, inspiring many around the world.
In reflecting on his journey, Lyles’ powerful message resonates: “I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”