When the greatest sprinter of all time speaks, the world listens. Recently, Usain Bolt made headlines when he revealed the four sprinters he would pick for his “dream” 4x100m relay team – and to the surprise of many track and field fans, American sprint superstar Noah Lyles did not make the cut. Bolt’s choices have sparked heated debates across the athletics community, as fans and analysts try to understand why the reigning 100m and 200m world champion was overlooked.
Bolt’s dream team consisted of himself running the anchor leg, his Jamaican countryman Yohan Blake, U.S. legend Carl Lewis, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson. This lineup, he explained, was not just about pure speed, but about chemistry, baton exchanges, and proven championship pedigree on the biggest stage. “Relay running isn’t just about who’s the fastest,” Bolt reportedly said. “It’s about putting together a team that can get the stick around the track under pressure.”
This perspective provides context for Lyles’ omission. While Noah Lyles has been the face of American sprinting for the last few seasons, dominating the 200m and claiming gold in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships, his 4x100m resume is still relatively young. Unlike Bolt’s other selections, who all have multiple global relay medals, Lyles’ opportunities on the relay have been inconsistent, often hampered by Team USA’s well-documented baton mishaps in major competitions.
Many observers argue that Bolt’s decision reflects his preference for reliability over current form. Yohan Blake, though past his prime, was a key figure in Jamaica’s record-setting relay squad that ran 36.84 seconds at the 2012 London Olympics – a time that still stands as the world record. Carl Lewis, meanwhile, anchored the U.S. team to gold in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, making him one of the most dependable relay runners of all time. Richard Thompson might surprise casual fans, but the Trinidadian was famous for his lightning-fast starts, a crucial skill for setting up the rest of the team.
Still, Bolt’s comments are bound to fuel friendly rivalry with Lyles. The American sprinter has never been shy about embracing comparisons to Bolt, often saying he hopes to be remembered as the man who brought showmanship back to track and field. Some fans believe that Lyles’ current form – including his blistering 9.80 100m run in Tokyo 2025 – should have earned him a place on any “dream” relay team.
In the end, Bolt’s selection seems less like a slight against Lyles and more like a reflection of his deep respect for proven relay chemistry. It is also a reminder that Bolt himself has been on the receiving end of criticism for valuing baton efficiency over raw talent when assembling Jamaica’s squads during his reign.
Noah Lyles, for his part, has not publicly responded to Bolt’s picks, but knowing his competitive spirit, this may serve as extra motivation heading into the next major championships. Whether or not he eventually earns a spot in Bolt’s hypothetical lineup, one thing is certain: the conversation has reignited interest in one of track and field’s most exciting events.
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