Noah Lyles includes Usain Bolt, Sha’Carri Richardson in Dream 4 x 100m Men’s and Mixed Relay Teams

World sprinting sensation Noah Lyles joined NFL star Cam Newton on his YouTube series a couple of wees ago for a candid and animated interview that took fans deep into the mindset of the reigning 100m champion.

 Among the standout moments was Lyles’ fantasy relay picks — dream teams combining track legends and current stars in both men’s and mixed 4x100m formats.

When posed with the hypothetical of building his perfect 4x100m relay team — with no restrictions on era, nationality, or retirement status — Lyles didn’t hesitate to bring together names from across generations.

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In the mixed relay, where teams consist of two men and two women, Lyles gave the first leg to Carmelita Jetter and  his second leg to the current queen of American sprinting, Sha’Carri Richardson, praising her straight-line speed. “I’m gonna give it to Sha on the second leg. Straight ahead,” he said.

He envisioned a high-powered lineup that could dominate under the sport’s evolving relay rules, where gender alternation is now mandated for fairness. 

While early versions of the event allowed teams to stack genders however they pleased — sometimes leading to awkward mismatches — World Athletics has since required alternating male and female legs, ensuring a more competitive balance.

Lyles put Tyson Gay in the third leg before pitting himself as the anchor for the fourth leg.

As for the men’s 4x100m, Lyles created a sprinting Mount Rushmore of his own. Starting with Christian Coleman on the first leg, Lyles placed himself on the second, Yohan Blake on the curve for third, and had the GOAT himself, Usain Bolt, bring it home on anchor. 

The chemistry and explosiveness of that quartet, he hinted, would be almost untouchable — a blend of world-leading starts, curve mastery, and unmatched closing speed.

What made the moment even more compelling was how naturally Lyles positioned himself among legends — not with arrogance, but with the confidence of someone already in their company.

Though the conversation was wide-ranging and celebratory, Lyles made a point of excluding one of the sport’s most revered figures: Michael Johnson. Not out of disrespect, but due to physiology.

“Michael Johnson’s not a 100-meter runner,” Lyles said, noting that the Olympic legend eventually stopped attempting the 100 meters altogether. “The event was so explosive that he would injure himself.”

Lyles explained that Johnson’s strengths were suited to the 200m and 400m, where the rhythm, endurance, and pacing differ significantly from the short-burst intensity of the 100m. 

“Those body types are different. The 100 meters requires a lot more muscle, a lot more dynamic explosive movements very quickly,” he said. “If you aren't training your body to do that and you try to do that, you hurt yourself. It actually happens a lot in the sport.”

By including that insight, Lyles offered fans a rare look at the physical toll of elite sprinting — and why even legends like Johnson, despite their dominance, must respect the limitations of their discipline.