American sprinter Noah Lyles has set his sights on national records, another world title and Olympic gold in Los Angeles after ending his injury-hit 2026 season early and turning his attention to what he believes could be the defining two years of his career.
Lyles, who withdrew from this week’s inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships after suffering an injury, said on Tuesday that his performances this season had convinced him he could run significantly faster than his world-leading 9.79 seconds in the 100 metres.
“I don’t like to put limits on myself,” Lyles told reporters on a video call ahead of the championships in Budapest, an event he helped design.
“In my head, American records definitely come in, touching the stars, going after anything and everything.”
Tyson Gay holds the U.S. 100m record of 9.69 seconds, set in 2009, while Lyles is already the American record-holder in the 200m after running 19.31 in 2022.
The 29-year-old said he surprised himself by running two 9.7-second 100m races at the U.S. championships despite feeling he had yet to produce a technically complete performance.
“It’s proven to myself that I can run very fast, even though I’m not 100% perfect with my first 30 (metres),” he said.
Lyles said he and his team would hold planning sessions later this year to map out the next two seasons, with 2027 serving as the foundation for his bid to defend his Olympic 100m title on home soil in Los Angeles in 2028.
“2027 is the building block for 2028,” he said. “Let’s get that plan smoothed and polished so that when we go into 2028, we’re just following the blueprint because we know it’s going to work.”
He also plans to reduce his off-track commitments after a year that included numerous media and promotional appearances as well as his April wedding to Jamaican sprinter Junelle Bromfield.
“I’m putting a lot more focus on more running and a lot less appearances,” Lyles said. “I think we’ve proven this year that in the U.S. and even in the world, the world knows Noah Lyles.”
The eight-time world champion announced on Friday that he was ending his season after a minor strain suffered earlier in the year contributed to other physical issues that disrupted his training.
Lyles raised concerns at the U.S. championships in July when he pulled up during the 200m final, having earlier won the 100m title in 9.79 seconds, matching his personal best. He later described the problem as a cramp and had initially expected to compete in Budapest.
His absence is a blow to World Athletics’ new season-ending event, which offers a record $10 million prize purse. Lyles said he still planned to attend the championships, which run from Friday through Sunday.
