Noah Lyles: Olympic 100m Gold, Dyslexia, and Records

There are Olympic gold medals that end arguments, and then there’s Noah Lyles’ win in Paris. He slipped across the line just five-thousandths of a second ahead of Kishane Thompson, making himself the fastest man on earth by the slimmest margin in Olympic history.

Full name: Noah Lyles ·
Date of birth: July 18, 1997 ·
Nationality: American ·
Event(s): 60 m, 100 m, 200 m ·
2024 Olympic 100m gold: Yes ·
Personal best 100m: 9.79 s (2024)

Seven key facts that define Noah Lyles as an athlete and public figure:

The pattern: Lyles’ numbers are elite, but Bolt’s records remain in a separate tier.

Is Noah Lyles faster than Usain Bolt?

Comparing personal bests in the 100m and 200m

• Lyles’ 100m personal best is 9.79 s, set at Paris 2024 (Olympics.com (official Olympic coverage)).
• Bolt’s world record stands at 9.58 s (YouTube (speed comparison video)).
• In the 200m, Lyles’ best is 19.31 s; Bolt’s world record is 19.19 s (Hindustan Times (sports news)).

Head-to-head race history and hypotheticals

• Lyles and Bolt have never competed in the same race.
• Bolt won eight Olympic gold medals; Lyles has one (100m) and a bronze in the 200m (Olympics.com).
• Many analysts consider Bolt the “fastest man alive” because he holds the world records (YouTube (speed comparison)).

The implication: Bolt’s records set a standard Lyles still chases.

What disability does Noah Lyles have?

Understanding dyslexia in elite sports

• Noah Lyles has dyslexia (Hindustan Times).
• He was diagnosed as a child and has spoken about it publicly (Olympics.com).
• In addition to dyslexia, he has dealt with asthma, ADHD, and other conditions (Olympics.com).

Lyles’ public statements about his learning difference

• He has described his dyslexia as part of his identity and motivation (Lili for Life).
• His openness has made him a role model for young athletes with learning differences (Hindustan Times).

That framing redefines what a champion looks like.

What was Noah Lyles’ 100m time?

His winning time at the Paris 2024 Olympics

• Lyles crossed the line in 9.79 s to win gold (Olympics.com).
• The margin was 0.005 seconds — the closest finish in Olympic 100m history (Olympics.com).

Progression of his 100m times over the years

• Before Paris, his personal best was 9.83 s (2023) (Hindustan Times).
• He ran 9.88 s earlier in the 2024 season (Olympics.com).
• His official 100m record now stands at 9.79 s.

The pattern: steady improvement, peaking exactly when it mattered most.

Where is Noah Lyles’ family from?

Lyles’ parents and their backgrounds

• Noah Lyles was born in Gainesville, Florida (Olympics.com).
• His mother, Keisha Caine, and father, Kevin Lyles, both ran track (Hindustan Times).
• His younger brother, Josephus Lyles, is also a professional sprinter (Lili for Life).

His upbringing in Alexandria, Virginia

• He grew up in Alexandria, Virginia (Olympics.com).
• Family support has been a constant in his career.

How much does Noah Lyles earn a year?

Endorsement deals and prize money

• Lyles has a sponsorship with Adidas (Hindustan Times).
• He earned prize money from World Championships and Olympic appearances.

Estimated net worth and annual income

• Estimated net worth is around $2–3 million (Lili for Life).
• Annual earnings from track and endorsements estimated at $1–2 million (Olympics.com).

The gap in earnings mirrors the gap in records.

Comparison: Noah Lyles vs. Usain Bolt

Three key metrics, one clear separation:

The implication: Bolt’s records remain untouched. Lyles is the fastest man on earth right now, but Bolt is the fastest in history.

Timeline

• July 18, 1997 – Born in Gainesville, Florida (Olympics.com)
• 2016 – Turns professional after high school (Hindustan Times)
• 2019 – Wins 200m gold at World Championships in Doha (Olympics.com)
• 2021 – Bronze in 200m at Tokyo Olympics (Lili for Life)
• 2023 – Wins 100m and 200m at World Championships in Budapest (Hindustan Times)
• August 2024 – Wins Olympic 100m gold in Paris with 9.79 s (Olympics.com)

Each milestone marked a step toward the Paris peak.

Certainty & uncertainty

Confirmed facts

• Noah Lyles has dyslexia (Hindustan Times)
• He won Olympic gold in 100m at Paris 2024 (Olympics.com)
• His personal best 100m is 9.79 s (Olympics.com)

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (estimates vary $2–3 million) (Lili for Life)
• Whether he will attempt Bolt’s 100m world record (YouTube)
• Full details of his Adidas contract (Hindustan Times)
• His exact height (reported at 6 ft 3 in) (Hindustan Times)
• Whether his brother Josephus is still a professional sprinter (Lili for Life)

The confirmed facts are rock-solid; the unclear items leave room for future reporting.

“Goodness gracious, I’m incredible.”

— Noah Lyles, speaking after winning Olympic 100m gold (Olympics.com)

“I have dealt with asthma, ADHD, dyslexia, extreme allergies, and other illnesses while growing up.”

— Noah Lyles, on his childhood health challenges (Olympics.com)

Noah Lyles’ story is still being written. For American track and field fans, the next few years will determine whether he can close the gap on Bolt’s records. For the broader public, his openness about dyslexia and mental health redefines what it means to be a champion. Noah Lyles’ Paris gold is a starting block, not a finish line.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Octavia Spencer: Dyslexia, Oscar Win, Keanu Reeves Rescue
• Oscar Pistorius Now: Parole, New Love, and Life in 2025

These profiles offer additional context on how public figures navigate neurodivergence and public scrutiny.