Olympic Champion Noah Lyles Reveals on TV Show How He Lost $13 Million to a Scam After His Triumphant 200m Win at the Diamond League Final in Zurich.

Olympic Champion Noah Lyles Reveals on TV Show How He Lost $13 Million to a Scam After His Triumphant 200m Win at the Diamond League Final in Zurich.

 

In a candid appearance on a recent TV show, Olympic sprint sensation Noah Lyles shared a distressing story: shortly after his triumphant 200m win at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, he was tragically defrauded—losing a staggering $13 million in the process.

Just two weeks before the World Championships in Tokyo, Lyles sealed history in Zurich by clinching his sixth Diamond League Final title, crossing the finish line in 19.74 seconds to narrowly beat Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, becoming the first track athlete to achieve such a streak. It was a defining moment—not just for his career, but for his public image. The aftermath, however, brought not celebration, but heartbreak.

On the TV show, Lyles described how the emotional high of victory made him more vulnerable than ever. Riding the wave of his win, he received outreach from a well-meaning individual posing as a financial advisor—someone he trusted in his moment of euphoria. Before he realized what was happening, he had transferred around $13 million into what turned out to be a meticulously orchestrated scam.

Although Lyles didn’t reveal the scammer’s identity or the exact details of how it unfolded, he emphasized just how sophisticated and convincing the fraud scheme was. It preyed on his recent success and desire to manage his finances wisely—a scenario many high-profile athletes encounter. The psychological toll was profound: Lyles admitted that this betrayal felt doubly painful—striking just when he was at the peak of his performance.

The revelation also sparked a larger conversation about the vulnerability of elite athletes to financial exploitation. Despite his status as Olympic and world champion, Lyles underscored how easy it is for someone—even with limited financial literacy or oversight—to fall prey when the person on the other end is skilled in manipulation.

In response, Lyles credited his support team—agents, family, and his fiancée—for helping him navigate the fallout. Their guidance was instrumental in ensuring he could begin rebuilding the lost wealth and regain control of his financial well-being.

This moment of vulnerability didn’t overshadow his athletic achievements, however. Lyles continues to embrace his identity beyond the track—whether through fashion collaborations or media appearances—and this recent episode may only make his comeback more compelling.

Ultimately, Lyles’s transparency reflects a growing trend among elite athletes who are opening up about mental, physical, and even financial challenges. By sharing his experience, he’s not only reclaiming his narrative but also offering a cautionary tale—and a form of protection—for fellow athletes and rising stars.