Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield have revealed how public scrutiny, particularly after the Paris Olympics, tested their relationship.
Noah Lyles and fiance Junelle Bromfield have shared many bright moments as one of track and field's most high-profile couples, but it hasn’t all been smooth sprinting.
Behind the smiles and podium finishes, they’ve quietly endured pressures that few couples ever experience, from international scrutiny to online abuse.
Yet through it all, they’ve emerged stronger, choosing each other through thick and thin.
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Weathering the Storm of Online Backlash
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The turning point came during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Lyles edged out Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson in a photo finish to win the 100m final.
The race win sparked backlash from some Jamaican fans, with Bromfield, a Jamaican 400m specialist, caught in the crossfire.
She became the target of online colorist and nationalist attacks, something that could have easily damaged the foundation of their relationship.
But instead of buckling under pressure, Lyles and Bromfield leaned into each other.
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“We would both say it increased the trust between each other,” they shared in a recent interview with Essence.
“We confided in each other even more. While everything was going on online, we had to make sure that the bad energy didn’t flow into our relationship.”
With the eyes of the world on them, they focused inward, maintaining what they call a “safe space” for one another amid the chaos.
Choosing Each Other, Above the Noise
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Their bond has since grown, with both athletes becoming more skilled at filtering out the noise that surrounds them.
“Somebody told me once that you don’t go to a stranger for advice, so why would their opinion matter? I live by that,” Bromfield explained. She adds that she only values the opinions of her close family and friends.
Lyles takes a similar approach. “Ignore them,” he says plainly when asked about critics and online negativity.
“I usually ignore comments and negative feedback.”
That ability to remain unshaken has become their secret weapon not just in love, but in life and competition as the couple are set to tie the knot in 2026 having gotten engaged in 2024.
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