Paris 2024: How a trio of therapists have Noah Lyles primed for Olympic gold

Despite finding life in the Olympic village tough thanks to his new-found fame, US superstar Noah Lyles has turned to three different therapists in his quest for gold.

Getting harassed in the athletes’ village and having to hide to eat meals at weird times seems to be more of an issue to Noah Lyles than beating the fastest men in the world.

The American sprinter says his starring role in the recently released Netflix documentary, Sprint, had created issues in Paris and that he was struggling mentally to find his “safe place” in the village.

“It’s a weird concept, Sprint came out and I have become kind of popular in the village,” Lyles revealed. “Unfortunately that has come with its own set of challenges in being able to find my own space within the village whether that is eating or training in the gym.

“I know some athletes like to leave the village and have their own hotels but I like to enjoy the whole Olympic event, being with other athletes and stuff like that but it has come with its own challenge in finding my own safe place.

“It has been kind of hard for me to find that place within the village and I don’t want to leave. I am not even the most popular person in the village so I know I am not the only one who has to deal with situations like this.

“Even though we are superstars in your eyes we’re still human beings and we do want to be able to have our space and our time.

Will Noah Lyles win gold in Paris? Picture: Getty Images

“I want to enjoy the Olympics just like you guys are and just being able to find a safe place has been a bit difficult these past few days as I’m trying to prepare and dive deep into my mental state

“I have now found myself eating at random times at the back of the cafeteria to try and have my space with just me and my girlfriend, to just try and enjoy a meal.”

Lyles, the reigning 100m and 200m world champion, has been open about his battles with mental illness particularly during his Olympic debut three years ago in Tokyo.

He now has three therapists - one for everyday, one for sport and one for grief - who have got him to Paris in a lot better shape than Tokyo where he still managed to win a bronze medal in the 200m.

“The last Olympics didn’t go to plan,” Lyles said. “I can finally say I’m showing up to an Olympic Games not depressed and it feels amazing.

“I can think back to the last Olympics and be like, ‘No this one is not the same’, this one is way better and I am ready to show it.”

Noah Lyles (left) came third in the London Diamond League event earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images

The trademark swagger is never too far from the surface and Lyles couldn’t resist when discussing all of the hurdles he’s faced to get to the top of his sport.

“I’ve been at the bottom. I’ve fought my way back up, I’ve fixed the weaknesses and now here I am stronger than before,” he said.

“And you know, if I lose this time, it’s not going to be because I beat myself. It’s just going to be that they have to be that much better.

“But to be honest, when Noah Lyles is being Noah Lyles, there is nobody (better).”

Lyles, 27, isn’t the fastest man in the world this season, his 9.81sec at the London Diamond League earlier this month is ranked No.3 behind Jamaican Kishane Thompson (9.77sec) and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (9.79sec).

The heats of the men’s 100m are on Saturday.

Originally published as Paris 2024: How a trio of therapists have Noah Lyles primed for Olympic gold