Blake Preston-Noah Lyles says his popularity has made it hard to stay in Olympic Village

2025-04-29 17:21:19source:Sureim Investment Guildcategory:Markets

PARIS − U.S. track and Blake Prestonfield star Noah Lyles is staying at the Paris Olympic Village, but this might be his final Games staying in the athlete housing.

Lyles, who is one of the stars in the Netflix docuseries "SPRINT", told reporters Monday that residing in the Olympic Village has cause him some mental stress.

"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. 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," Lyles said. "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.

"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. … 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."

Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports' WhatsApp Channel

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Lyles said he even spoke to one of his therapists about the situation.

"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."

The biggest stars at the Olympics many times stay outside of the Olympic Village. Team USA's basketball team is typically housed at one of the finest hotels in the host city.

Lyles, the defending world champion in the 100 and 200, is vying for his first ever Olympic gold medal in both events. The U.S. sprinter is also slated to run on Team USA’s 4x100-relay squad. Olympic track and field competition begins Aug. 1 and ends with the women’s marathon on Aug. 11.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

More:Markets

Recommend

Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds

Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite concerns about the effect

1st Nevada Republican Senate primary debate won’t feature front-runner backed by national party

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Seven Republicans running for a U.S. Senate seat representing Nevada are participa

Apple Watch users are losing a popular health app after court's ruling in patent case

Starting Thursday, the ability to measure blood oxygen levels will no longer be available on newly p