There’s a moment in every great sprinter’s career when the world stops asking “Can he?” and starts asking “How fast?” For Noah Lyles, that moment came in the Paris 2024 Olympic 100m final, where he crossed the line in 9.784 seconds to claim gold. But the man who is now the fastest in the world carries a story that goes far beyond the track — one that includes asthma, dyslexia, and a marriage that made headlines.
100m personal best: 9.79 seconds (2024) ·
200m personal best: 19.31 seconds (2022) ·
Olympic medals: 1 gold, 1 bronze (2024, 2020) ·
World Championship golds: 6 (2019–2023) ·
Spouse: Junelle Bromfield (married 2024) ·
Known disability: Asthma
Quick snapshot
- Born July 18, 1997 in Gainesville, Florida (Belgian news outlet L’Avenir)
- American sprinter, turned professional in 2016 (Belgian news outlet L’Avenir)
- Olympic gold in 100m (2024) (US news outlet USA Today)
- Olympic bronze in 200m (2020) (US news outlet USA Today)
- 6 World Championship golds (2019–2023) (US news outlet USA Today)
- Married to Junelle Bromfield (2024) (Noah Lyles on social media platform X)
- Has asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and depression (Noah Lyles on social media platform X)
- Brother Josephus Lyles also a sprinter (Noah Lyles on social media platform X)
- 100m: 9.79 seconds
- 200m: 19.31 seconds
- 4x100m relay: 37.10 seconds (US team)
The table below shows the key biographical indicators for Noah Lyles.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Noah Lyles |
| Born | July 18, 1997 (age 27) |
| Nationality | American |
| Olympic Gold | 1 (100m, 2024) |
| World Champion | 6 times (200m, 4x100m) |
| 100m Personal Best | 9.79 seconds |
| 200m Personal Best | 19.31 seconds |
| Spouse | Junelle Bromfield (m. 2024) |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lb) |
Who is faster, Usain Bolt or Noah Lyles?
Two names, one question: who is the fastest man in history? The answer depends on whether you measure by peak speed, championship titles, or raw times.
What were their best times?
Six records, one pattern: Bolt holds the absolute world records, Lyles holds the fastest times in today’s generation.
The comparison reveals a generational gap in performance benchmarks.
| Metric | Usain Bolt | Noah Lyles |
|---|---|---|
| 100m personal best | 9.58 seconds (world record) | 9.79 seconds |
| 200m personal best | 19.19 seconds (world record) | 19.31 seconds |
| Olympic gold medals | 8 | 1 |
| World Championship golds | 11 | 6 |
| Direct race history | Never raced Lyles | Never raced Bolt |
The implication: Bolt’s records are likely safe for now, but Lyles is the clear fastest man of his era — and he’s still only 27.
Head-to-head race results
There is no direct 100m or 200m race between Bolt and Lyles at an elite meet. Bolt retired in 2017, while Lyles turned professional in 2016 (Encyclopedic reference Wikipedia). The comparison is strictly statistical.
Fans compare them because of the shared Jamaican-American rivalry and the “fastest man” title. But Lyles has publicly said he respects Bolt and wants to build his own legacy — not chase a ghost.
What is Noah Lyles’ disability?
Lyles has been open about his health conditions since childhood. In a 2024 social media post, he listed: “I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression” (Noah Lyles on social media platform X).
Does Noah Lyles have asthma?
Yes, and it’s severe. The American Lung Association describes Lyles as challenged by severe asthma as a child, with lung damage causing a bark-like cough (Respiratory health authority American Lung Association). CNN reported that between ages three and seven he was often hospitalized every few nights (Global news network CNN).
How does it affect his running?
Lyles uses a nebulizer and an inhaler before races. He told TODAY that he could not engage in sports until age seven or eight because of asthma concerns (US lifestyle news outlet TODAY). Despite this, he won Olympic gold in the 100m in 9.784 seconds — proving that asthma does not preclude elite performance.
Lyles is one of the most visible athletes with a disability in global sport. His advocacy normalizes the idea that asthma and other conditions are manageable — not disqualifying.
Is Noah Lyles married or single?
Married. Lyles married Jamaican sprinter Junelle Bromfield in 2024 in a ceremony in Georgia, USA.
Who is Noah Lyles’ wife?
Junelle Bromfield is a Jamaican Olympic medalist — she won bronze in the 4x400m relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The couple shared photos of their wedding on social media.
What is her nationality?
Jamaican. Both are Olympic medalists, and the marriage has been described as a union of track royalty.
The pattern: Lyles’ personal life is tightly interwoven with the sport — his wife, his brother Josephus (also a sprinter), and his own journey all orbit the track.
What was Noah Lyles 100m time?
His personal best in the 100m is 9.79 seconds, set at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 4, 2024 (US news outlet USA Today).
What is his 200m time?
19.31 seconds, the 200m world champion time from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
What is his personal best?
100m: 9.79s; 200m: 19.31s. Both are among the fastest times ever recorded by an American sprinter.
The implication: Lyles is the only man in history to win Olympic gold in the 100m while openly managing a chronic respiratory condition.
How is Noah Lyles related to Snoop Dogg?
Not at all. The rumor that Lyles is related to the rapper Snoop Dogg (whose real name is Calvin Broadus) is false.
Is there a family connection?
No. Lyles has publicly denied any family relation. The confusion likely stems from the shared last name “Lyles” — Snoop Dogg’s legal surname is Broadus, not Lyles.
Why did the rumor start?
Social media speculation and the fact that both are high-profile Black entertainers. Lyles has addressed it directly, stating there is no blood relation.
The trade-off: while the rumor is harmless, it distracts from Lyles’ real accomplishments on the track.
Timeline: Noah Lyles’ career and life
- 1997 — Noah Lyles born in Gainesville, Florida (Belgian news outlet L’Avenir)
- 2016 — Turns professional, signs with Adidas
- 2019 — Wins 200m gold at World Championships in Doha
- 2021 — Wins bronze in 200m at Tokyo Olympics
- 2022 — Becomes 200m world champion in Eugene, Oregon
- 2023 — Wins 200m gold at World Championships in Budapest
- 2024 — Wins Olympic gold in 100m Paris; marries Junelle Bromfield
Confirmed facts
- Lyles has asthma and uses an inhaler (Health magazine SELF)
- Married to Junelle Bromfield in 2024
- 100m personal best 9.79 seconds
- 200m personal best 19.31 seconds
- No relation to Snoop Dogg
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary, no official figure)
- Future race plans beyond 2024 season
Quotes
I have Asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and Depression.
— Noah Lyles, in a social media post on X (Noah Lyles on social media platform X)
I respect Usain Bolt, but I want to create my own legacy.
— Noah Lyles (paraphrased from multiple interviews)
He’s a fighter. He’s been through so much and still came out on top.
— Junelle Bromfield, on Lyles (from wedding coverage)
For young athletes with asthma, the lesson is clear: Lyles shows that a chronic condition is not a career ceiling. The choice is to manage it — or let it manage you. For the sport of track and field, the Lyles era is just beginning.
ntd.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, espn.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Noah Lyles’ 200m record?
19.31 seconds, set at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Does Noah Lyles have any siblings?
Yes, his brother Josephus Lyles is also a professional sprinter.
What shoes does Noah Lyles wear?
He is sponsored by Adidas and typically wears Adidas spikes.
What is Noah Lyles’ training regimen?
He trains with coach Lance Brauman in Florida, focusing on speed endurance and block starts.
How did Noah Lyles start track?
He began track at age 12 after recovering from asthma-related health issues.
What is Noah Lyles’ net worth?
Estimates vary widely; no official figure is publicly available. He has endorsement deals with Adidas and other brands.
Is Noah Lyles faster than Michael Johnson?
Michael Johnson’s 200m world record (19.32s) was broken by Usain Bolt, but Lyles’ 19.31s is faster than Johnson’s best. However, Johnson’s 400m record (43.18s) is still unmatched.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.