Noah Lyles, a 2016 graduate of what is now Alexandria City High School, became the fifth male sprinter in history to win the World Championship Sprint Triple Crown at the World Athletic Championships held in late August in Budapest, Hungary.
Lyles achieved the feat by clinching three gold medals at the championships. He secured victories in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4x100-meter relay events. His victory in the 100-meter officially gives him the title of fastest man in the world, taking home the gold in a personal best 9.83 seconds on Aug. 20.
Prior to the Championship, Lyles used social media to outline his goals for the competition.
“There is what I will accept, and then there’s what my greatest expectation is,” Lyles posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “What I will accept is grabbing a medal in the 100m, whatever color, and winning the 200m. My greatest aspiration is that I will grab three golds and gain a world record in the 200m.”
On Aug. 25, Lyles took gold in the 200m with a time of 19.52 seconds, becoming the first male sprinter since Usain Bolt in the 2016 Olympics to win both the 100 and 200 in a worldwide championship.
Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted his congratulations: “The Sprint Double is done! Congrats to Noah Lyles!”
Lyles won a third gold on Aug. 26 as the anchor of the US 4x100m relay team.
The 26-year-old Lyles joins iconic athletes like Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis and other legendary sprinters who have achieved the World Championship Sprint Triple Crown.
Lyles also became the first person since Bolt in 2015 to win the 100m and 200m at the same event.
Following his record-breaking performance, Lyles posted on X, “They can doubt you, call you crazy, and even make fun of you but as long as you believe in yourself that’s all that matters.”