Liberian Sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh on What Makes Noah Lyles More Special Than Usain Bolt

Noah Lyles has been lauded for bringing good vibes to track and field by Liberian sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh who feels the American has special attributes compared to Usain Bolt.

Olympics 100m champion Noah Lyles has been lauded for making a great impact in the growth of track and field by Liberian sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh.

Lyles has divided opinion due to his outgoing personality on and off the track but Fahnbulleh, who is a close friend of the reigning world 100m and 200m champion and has got to see and learn a lot from the American, feels he is sometimes misunderstood.

Lyles has never shied away from speaking truth to power while he uses various platforms to popularize the sport, be it through mainstream or social media, attending other sports and fashion events or dressing in eye-catching outfits.

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Some have criticized Lyles for going overboard with calls to emulate Usain Bolt, who transcended the sport without pulling off certain stunts, but Fahnbulleh thinks it is unfair to single out Lyles as he is in a different era compared to the Jamaican legend.

“Sometimes people compare Usain Bolt to Noah Lyles on charisma. At that time, Usain Bolt spoke with his times, spoke with being humble, good vibes that made the sport grow but this day and age when it comes to social media and other sports that are gaining more access and viewership maybe this [Lyles’ style] is what the sport needs,” Fahnbulleh told Pulse Sports.

Fahnbulleh Defends Noah Lyles’ Style

“Somebody to be out there, be loyal and just get press for the whole sport. Noah has these many eyes to track and field for a long time.

“Of course, you have [Grant] Holloway, Rai Benjamin, Faith Kipyegon but when it comes to the social media aspect of getting clicks, views, Noah is there and him being him is bringing press, good, bad press is still press,” added the American-born sprinter.

Fahnbulleh believes Lyles is using the platforms available to him to make the sport more popular and should be left to do it in the best way he knows how.

“Noah is a wonderful guy, a person you can easily talk to. The media paints a different picture and obviously he has moments where he is like…but at the end of the day, bad press, good press is press,” he said.

“What people really don’t understand, they tend to put down so he has his moments when it comes to on track and off track, you only see him doing some things off track, trying to promote track and field through his podcast, various interviews, fashion events but all-round, Noah is like a wonderful guy.”

Lyles has remained resolute in his push to have track and field accepted across board despite all the criticism directed his way.