'It's a weird position'- Noah Lyles opens up on struggling with post-Olympic fame

Olympic champion Noah has candidly shared his challenges in adjusting to life after his landmark achievements during the 2024 Paris Olympics

Lyles fame peaked when he clinched gold in the fiercely contested 100m final edging out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson before he secured a bronze in the 200m final

Rai Benjamin has joined Noah Lyles in expressing a major concern that has to be addressed before joining Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track League.

Despite basking in the glory of his success, Lyles has struggled with the overwhelming attention and the pressures that come with newfound fame

In a recent conversation on the podcast, the world-renowned sprinter admitted that the transition from Olympic glory to post-Olympics life has been more difficult than he anticipated

“In all honesty, I’m kind of struggling with it,” Lyles confessed. “I knew that it was going to come, but getting into it has been very much a weird position because I don’t make enough money to hire my own security 24/7, but I’m obviously popular enough to wherever I go I’m going to be noticed and seen.”

Lyles’ words resonate with the complexities of fame that many athletes, particularly those who perform on the world’s largest stage, face after their monumental achievements

While the recognition and admiration of fans are often seen as positive aspects of success, Lyles has come to realize the accompanying challenges

The constant public attention can be overwhelming, especially when one is caught in a delicate balance of being a well-known figure without the resources to maintain personal security

The track star further opened up about his struggle with personal boundaries, sharing a story from a recent conversation he had with actor Terry Crews

“I was actually talking to Terry Crews , and I was like, ‘How do you get through it? You know, people come up and they touch you and they grab you because they feel like they know you. They’ve grown up with you, they’ve seen you through the screens.’”

While Lyles expressed deep appreciation for the love and admiration he receives, he also acknowledged the need for personal space

«I’m very blessed to have that situation, but at the same time, I do like my boundaries as well as any human does, and it’s such a weird place to be in,» he said

Olympic champion Rai Benjamin has revealed why he agrees with fellow track star Noah Lyles on the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded people.

Lyles’ vulnerability in sharing his struggles highlights an often overlooked aspect of athletic success. While athletes like him are celebrated for their accomplishments, the emotional and psychological toll of fame and constant public scrutiny can be daunting

For someone like Lyles, who is used to the competitive fire on the track, navigating the complexities of being a beloved public figure presents a new kind of challenge, one that requires him to redefine boundaries and find ways to cope with the pressures that come with success