TRACK&FIELD
Will Noah Lyles attempt to break Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens’ single-game gold medal record?
The two-time Olympian, one of today’s top sprinters, has confirmed that he is in top shape for the track&field competitions at the Olympic Games in Paris
At the American qualifiers for the biggest show of world sports in Eugene, Oregon, Noah Lyles celebrated in the final of the 200-meter race with 19.53, which is the best time in the world this year. It is also the best result ever achieved in a pre-Olympic competition.
Noah previously triumphed in the final of the 100-meter race with 9.83, and in the semi-final, he went 9.80 seconds. His plan is to try to win four gold medals in Paris. In addition to the 100 and 200-meter races, he is expected to be a member of the 4 x 100-meter relay, and he will try to convince the members of the USATF to run in the 4 x 400-meter relay as well.
Carl Lewis not convinced
The only athletes in history who have won four gold medals at the Olympic Games are Carl Lewis in Los Angeles in 1984 and Jesse Owens in Berlin in 1936. They were the best in identical disciplines: 100, 200, 4 x 100-meter relay, and long jump.
In the new documentary about the late track and field legend called “Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics” that premieres June 19 on the History Channel, Carl Lewis, the man who matched Owens’ four gold medals almost 50 years later, is featured and interviewed in the documentary.
On the question if he thinks any American track and field athlete will accomplish that feat again, the nine-time Olympic gold medalist and the University of Houston’s track and field head coach said.
“No, not in Paris. I don’t think it’s ever going to happen. It won’t happen in my lifetime. The reason I say that is because society won’t let it happen. I’m a college coach, and the kids can’t even do the workouts I used to do. It’s too hard. I don’t think we’re raising a generation of kids that can handle it.”
It is interesting the level of Carl’s skepticism, especially in the continuation of the interview when he talked about future stars and faces of World Athletics. He did mention Lyles but also Sha’Carri Richardson.
“Noah Lyles right now I would say is the closest because he’s getting commercials. Sha’Carri (Richardson) is definitely close. People know her as well. They both won world championships. If they can win the Olympics, now we got something to work with. Those two could really build and grow. It’s about performance, who you are, and what you do.”