US track star Noah Lyles says representing country at Olympics is ‘bittersweet’

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Not only is Noah Lyles the face of track and field in the United States, he just might be the face of the sport around the globe.

The 26-year-old is fresh off three gold medals in the World Championships last year in Budapest, and now he is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Lyles is the heavy favorite to win the 200-meter, and he's a candidate to break Usain Bolt's world record of 19.19. He's set to compete in four events: the 100-, 200-, 4x100- and 4x400-meter races.

The U.S. has dominated the latter since the inception of the Olympics. They've won 18 of the 25 golds in the event, including eight of the last 10. However, no American has won the 100- or 200-meter since 2004, and the U.S. hasn't won the 4x100 relay since 2000. So, all eyes will be on Lyles, as he represents the red, white and blue.

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Noah Lyles celebrates after winning silver in the men's 60-meter final during day one of the World Indoor Athletics Championships 2024 at Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland. (Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

However, Lyles says representing the country is "contradicting."

"It’s a bittersweet moment. I’m American, and I truly believe that we are the best in the world, especially when it comes to sports. We have definitely been proving that dominance. … And it feels good to add on to that collection that the U.S. is the best," Lyles said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

"But at the same time, it’s with a heavy heart, because being Black in America, there’s a lot to deal with. I’m not going to go into everything, but it’s not easy. It’s hard to love the country