If Noah Lyles Attempts to Defend His Olympic Men’s 100m Title in Los Angeles, He’ll Do So During the First Week of the Games…

If Noah Lyles Attempts to Defend His Olympic Men’s 100m Title in Los Angeles, He’ll Do So During the First Week of the Games

 

Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 100 meters, is one of the brightest stars in track and field today. Known for his charisma, competitive fire, and top-end speed, Lyles has captured global attention with his performances on the track and his bold aspirations off it. As the world looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, one question looms: will Lyles attempt to defend his 100m title on home soil?

If he does, fans won’t have to wait long to see him in action. According to the current competition schedule released by the LA28 organizing committee, the men’s 100m final is slated to take place during the first week of the Games. That means Lyles would be among the first American athletes to headline the marquee moments of the Olympics—just as he was in Tokyo and Paris.

Lyles’ journey to Olympic gold has not been a straight line. While he entered the Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021) as a medal favorite in the 200m, he finished with bronze. In Paris 2024, he made history by sweeping the sprint treble—winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay—a feat last achieved by Usain Bolt. His 100m victory in Paris was especially significant, as it silenced critics who had doubted his ability to dominate the shorter sprint.

By 2028, Lyles will be 31—an age at which many sprinters start to decline. However, he has already defied conventional expectations. He’s vocal about his desire to become the “greatest sprinter of all time,” and defending his Olympic title in front of a home crowd would be a major step toward that goal. The energy of a U.S. crowd, the symbolism of competing in Los Angeles, and the chance to inspire the next generation of American athletes could all factor into his decision to compete.

But there are uncertainties. The men’s 100m is arguably the most competitive event in all of athletics. Younger sprinters continue to emerge, pushing the boundaries of speed. Injuries, form, and even the brutal U.S. Olympic Trials system—where only the top three finishers go to the Games—mean nothing is guaranteed. Lyles will have to maintain his health, fitness, and focus in the years leading up to 2028.

Still, if he’s on the starting line in Los Angeles, he’ll be one of the most watched athletes of the Games. The 100m final is traditionally one of the most anticipated events at any Olympics, and with Lyles possibly defending his title on home turf, it promises to be a moment of high drama and national pride.

Whether he runs or not, Lyles’ impact on the sport is already significant. But a successful title defense in LA would cement his place in Olympic history.