'We are still better than them' - Noah Lyles sparks debate with controversial claim about Jamaica

Noah Lyles has explained reasons behind his belief that the US is greater than Jamaica in sprinting.

Triple world champion Noah Lyles has argued why the US surpasses Jamaica as the greatest nation in Olympic history when it comes to track and field.

Noah Lyles noted that the US has more medals and records than Jamaica, despite their dominance in sprinting. He explained that Usain Bolt saved them a lot from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

During that period, Usain Bolt was unbeatable in the 100m and 200m and also the relay races. The likes of Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay were always forced to settle for second and third places but Yohan Blake also posed a great threat to them getting the two remaining spots.

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Noah Lyles acknowledged that the presence of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah also played a huge role in Jamaica’s dominance.

Elaine Thompson-Herah claimed the gold medals in the 100m and 200m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has also been a force to reckon with, winning the gold medals in the 100m at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. However, it is evident at the moment that the Jamaicans are struggling.

After Usain Bolt’s retirement, there was no heir to take the top spot but that could be changing soon with the emergence of Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville.

The women’s side has also lacked following Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s absence from Paris and Elaine Thompson-Herah’s injuries though youngsters are slowly coming up.

“No, we are still better than them. We have more world records and gold medals than they do. Now, Bolt helped out a lot. Jamaica was in their bag from 2008 and now Shelly-Ann is coming off, Elaine is in a weird predicament and I mean, they are having a great time,” Noah Lyles insisted in an interview on the Toure Show.

“The Olympics have been going on for a while now and a lot of these medals have been coming from the US.”

Upon being challenged further, Noah Lyles claimed that track and field is not the main sport in the US and most athletes grow up focusing on either football or basketball.

On the contrary, he shared that Jamaicans view track and field, especially sprinting as their main sport, hence their dominance for so many years.

“Our national sport is basketball or football and everyone grows up wanting to be one of them. Guess what? They cater for that in schools and outside, anytime they can,” Noah Lyles said.

“They start watching it and learning it even when you’re not playing it, it’s at the back of your mind. That’s how track and field is in Jamaica.”

The Paris Olympic Games were Jamaica’s worst Olympic Games ever, leaving with no medal in the women’s 100m and 200m, unlike previous years where they were dominant.

The women’s 100m saw Julien Alfred claim top honours as Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson came in second and third respectively. The 200m saw Gabby Thomas have a field day, winning the race decisively ahead of Julien Alfred and Brittany Brown.

In the men’s 100m, Noah Lyles claimed the win as Kishane Thompson came in second. Another American, Fred Kerley rounded up the podium. The 200m was no different as no Jamaican made the podium.

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo won the race commandingly as Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles came in second and third respectively.