Noah Lyles struggling for quiet time in Olympic village due to 'SPRINT' popularity

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.

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.

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