Is Noah Lyles the GOAT of American sprinting? Olympic champion ranks himself on all-time list

After his Olympic 100m victory at Paris 2024, speed king Noah Lyles has already defined what he needs to achieve to be considered the greatest of all time in American sprint history.

The 28-year-old's impressive track resume already includes the Paris 100m gold, two Olympic bronze medals in the 200m from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and eight world titles in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.

Despite these astonishing feats, Lyles boldly stated he doesn't consider himself the GOAT America's men's sprinting yet until one last feat is attained.

He believes another Olympic 100m gold medal is the key to cementing his legacy. With the 2028 Games set to take place on home soil in Los Angeles, the charismatic speedster has a clear target for his ambitions.

"Not yet. I still believe I need one more gold medal in the hundred before I want to say that I'll be the greatest," he stated.

"I'll tell you when LA comes and I finally do get those three gold medals, then I'll say for sure that I am the greatest American sprinter."

Interestingly, the conversation for America's greatest male sprinter involves legendary figures. The list of contenders includes icons like Jesse Owens, who famously won four gold medals (100m, 200m, long jump, 4x100m relay) at the Berlin 1936 Olympics.

More recent legends include Carl Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist across sprints and the long jump, and Michael Johnson, who dominated the 200m and 400m, securing double gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Athens 100m champion, also remains a prominent figure in the nation's sprinting heritage.

Even with the great names ahead of him, Lyles remains focused on what lies ahead. A sweep of three gold medals in LA—in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay—would be the crowning moment.