'2026 will be very big' - Noah Lyles shifts focus on having historic campaign next year amid major awards snub

Undeterred by the disappointment of not winning a major award this year, Noah Lyles is already gearing up for a big 2026 season.

The reigning Olympic 100m and world 200m champion is scheduled to kick off his season at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on January 24, where he will compete in the 60m dash. Lyles is no stranger to success at the event, having set the meet record of 6.44 seconds in 2024.

Looking ahead, the American sprint star has his sights set on a record-breaking fifth consecutive 200m World Championship title in 2027, a feat that would see him surpass Usain Bolt's four straight wins in the event.

His motivation appears stronger than ever as he prepares for the upcoming World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland next year.

"Keep your head up and your eyes open," Lyles told WWD, hinting at his plans for the year. "I think 2026 will be very big."

While the awards of World and USATF Athlete of the Year may have eluded him this time, Lyles's ambition remains firmly intact.

With a renewed drive for a historic fifth world title and domination at the 2028 Olympics on home soil on the horizon, he is surely set for another defining chapter in his remarkable career as he continues to build his legacy in the sport.