By Lori Ewing
PARIS (Reuters) - While six-times world champion Noah Lyles' brash, showman side was on display in the popular Netflix docuseries "SPRINT," there is a softer, more vulnerable aspect to the 27-year-old American who needs to have his own space.
The show's popularity, however, has made life in the Olympic Village miserable for Lyles, one of the Paris Games' most visible athletes.
"Apparently the world loves "SPRINT" and athletes do too, and I've become kind of popular in the village," Lyles said at the U.S. athletics team's press conference on Monday.
"Unfortunately that has come with its own set of challenges. 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 this.
"Even though some 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," he added.
"I'm trying to prepare and dive deep into my mental state.
I was talking with my therapist, trying to figure out ways to better seclude myself. I've been eating at very random times in the back of the cafeteria, to have my space with me and my girlfriend (Jamaica sprinter Junelle Bromfield)."
Strategically released ahead of the Olympics on July 2, "SPRINT" follows several of the world's best sprinters for a year, and was the sixth most watched show on Netflix worldwide in its first week with 2.4 million views.
Its climax was the 2023 World Championships where Lyles blazed to three gold medals. The world will be watching again as the American tries to match that feat in Paris.
PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
Lyles, who revealed he has three therapists -- everyday, sports and grief -- was considered the man to beat in the 200 metres at the 2020 Tokyo Games, but wound up third.
He said his psychological approach to the pandemic-affected Games - which meant no crowds to cheer Lyles on - was all wrong. Struggling with depression, he tried to bury his emotions and treat the Olympics as just another meet.
"That mindset of 'it's just another competition' was definitely ringing in my mind, trying to get through this depression. I was just like, 'You do this every day, you got this,'" said Lyles.
"(But) I'm an emotional person. And when I got to the finals and we walked into that empty stadium, I remember we're all standing behind our blocks, that's usually the moment when in my head I'm like, 'it's showtime!' and I just remember thinking 'This is not it. This is not fun. This is not cool. This is not what I wanted.'
"That was literally the last few thoughts I had as I got into the blocks, and it sucked."
Lyles' approach to Paris has been about soaking it all in and living in the moment. Wearing a U.S. team hat, he flipped up the brim to reveal the words: "You made it."
"When I made that team, I felt so excited. I remember when they gave us these hats, it's now my favourite hat, I have not taken it really off since making the team," he said.
"That to remind myself to enjoy the moment. This is fun. This is amazing. This is a very surreal thing."
Lyles will begin his Olympic campaign with the first round of the 100 metres on Saturday. He has been vocal about his quest for four Olympic titles here in the 100, 200, 4x100m and -- if the U.S. team selects him -- the 4x400m.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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