Noah Lyles says his popularity has made it hard for him to stay at the Olympic Village in Paris.
The U.S. track and field sprinter — and one of the stars of the Netflix series “Sprint” — said Monday that staying at the village has been mentally stressful as he prepares for his upcoming events.
“I’ve become kind of popular in the village. Unfortunately, that has come with its own set of challenges, being able to find my own space within the village whether that’s eating or training in the gym,” Lyles told reporters, as captured by USA Today.
“Some athletes like to leave the village and find their own hotels, but I like to enjoy the whole Olympic event – being with other athletes and stuff like that. But it has come with its own challenges of finding my own safe place.
“It’s kind of hard for me to find that space within the village and I don’t want to leave. But it’s definitely something I feel like after this Olympics I’m gonna have to have conversations higher up. Whoever that’s in charge of that and making that more available and more aware.”
Seeking his first Olympic gold medal, the 27-year-old Lyles is a six-time world champion who won gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters relay at the 2023 World Championships.
He became the first sprinter to achieve that feat since Usain Bolt in 2015.
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“I’m not even the most popular person in the village, so I know I’m not the only one who’s had to deal with situations like this,” Lyles added.
“Even though we might be superstars in your eyes, we still are human beings and we do want to be able to have our space and our time. I want to be able to enjoy the Olympics just like you guys are.
“I was talking to my therapist [Sunday] and we were just trying to figure out ways to better seclude myself. I’ve now been finding myself eating at very random times in the back of the cafeteria just to have my space with me and my girlfriend [Jamaican track and field athlete Junelle Bromfield]. Just trying to enjoy a meal.”