'This Award is Kind of a Joke' – Noah Lyles Criticises World Athlete of the Year Snub for Melissa Jefferson-Wooden

American sprint sensation Noah Lyles has opened up about his legacy, his often-overlooked achievements, and the vulnerabilities that lie beneath his famously confident exterior.

In the world of track and field, a sport rich with outspoken personalities, the reigning Olympic champion still manages to stand out.

Noah Lyles is famous for his victories as he is for his bold post-race comments, notably questioning why American domestic sports leagues call their winners "world champions."

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But Noah Lyles is far more than just a showman. A few months ago, he secured his fourth consecutive 200m gold at the World Championships, a feat only the legendary Usain Bolt has ever achieved. Currently in Pune, India, to flag off the Bajaj Pune Marathon, Lyles finds himself in an unfamiliar setting.

Noah Lyles was once again nominated for the World Athlete of the Year award, which ultimately went to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis. Noah Lyles expressed a complex view on the honour.

"There’s a lot more politics to these awards than you think," Noah Lyles stated in an interview with Sportstar. "I don’t think that Mondo doesn’t deserve athlete of the year. I mean, he breaks the World Record every year."

He admitted he was surprised by his own nomination after an injury-disrupted season. However, he was critical of the selection process, pointing to a significant omission.

"Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who swept gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, wasn’t even nominated," he said. "At this point, this award is kind of a joke."

When asked about his own long-distance running experience, Lyles recalled his high school conditioning days.

"The longest I’ve ever run has probably been about four miles," he said. "I hated running those four miles. It’s just too boring. My ADD kicks in too quickly." He added with a laugh, "I don’t like running beyond 60 seconds."

While he could technically compete in the 400m, he has no plans to pursue it seriously before the Los Angeles Olympics, citing the grueling training as the main deterrent. For Noah Lyles, the 100m is the "glory race."

"As my brother would put it, it’s about being the show pony as opposed to being the workhorse," he explained. "It has all the glitz and glam. But of course, with that also comes the hard part of when you’re not on top, it really sucks."

Noah Lyles views defeat as a crucial part of his journey. "It’s a lot more fun when you have one or two losses, because then you get to say, ‘OK, this is where I need to get better,’" he noted. "It’s almost like how in a story you need to lose to have character development. That’s exactly how I see it."

In reflecting on his career, Noah Lyles shows that beyond the medals and bold statements lies a thoughtful athlete who values growth, resilience, and the lessons that come from both victory and defeat.