Budapest, 25 Aug (Xinhua) -- Budapest World Championships men's 100-meter and 200-meter double champion and American sprinter Lyles said at a press conference after the 200-meter final on 25 August that it is necessary to promote the popularity of athletics, let athletics "go out of the circle" and connect with all fields of society.
After winning the men's 100m title at the World Championships, the 26-year-old Lyles boasted that his goal was to win three golds. In the men's 200m final that day, Lyles won the event in 19.52 seconds, achieving his third consecutive World Championships title.
On August 25, Lyles celebrated after the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ming
"I have a hunch that you can do things that a lot of people can't. I said I'm waiting for the moment to show something different. Winning both the 100m and 200m was one of the things I had to do, and today I finally became a double champion. "I know others are as hungry for gold as I am." I come today with a firm will. Usain Bolt has done it before [double champion], and he sees what I'm working on now. ”
For Lyles, the two gold medals mean different things. "The 100m is a breakthrough and a pleasure, and the 200m is my main sport, which has a special meaning for me personally. I grew and succeeded in this event, which was my third World Championship gold medal in this event. To be honest, I don't think I can take it for granted. I know a lot of athletes want to replace me. ”
Lyles broke the U.S. domestic men's 200m record with a time of 19.31 seconds at last year's World Championships in Oregon, second only to world record holder and Jamaican "Flyer" Usain Bolt.
On July 21, 2022, Lyles won the men's 200m final at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Xiaoling
"I remember winning the gold medal at the World Championships (200m) for the first time [in 2019] with a time of 19.83 seconds. Although I have been tired this week, I still believe in my ability to run faster. Lyles said.
Lyles has been in the media spotlight lately, and in addition to his breakthrough in the 100m, it is also related to his passion for promoting athletics. He is involved in documentaries that tell the stories behind the field of track and field athletes.
"I hope I can be the one who makes athletics more popular globally, and I'm ready to make the sport stronger." I want people to know me not just because I run fast, but because I have a likable personality. Lyles said.
On August 25, Lyles (first from right) crossed the finish line in a race. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying
In his opinion, to make athletics popular, or even "out of the circle", the premise is to have medals and good results. "If there are no medals, who wants to pay attention to you? People know me nine times out of ten because I broke Johnson's record, and maybe a lot of them don't know athletics. ”
Lyles added: "With good results, more people will become interested in athletes and the sport, and then I can choose different directions, which can be combined with fashion, music and other fields, from sports to literature and art, so that sports and social levels can be connected, until to the world, so that more people from different fields have the opportunity to meet people from the track and field." It's not just people who love athletics who are fascinated by the competition, but the rest of the community follows us as well. I would practice that idea, but it's still far off. ”
On August 20, American Lyles celebrates his victory after the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying
Lyles also suggested that organizers invite track and field stars to the field and outside the arena to raise awareness of the competition. "I've always longed to see past track and field stars, celebrities and high-level athletes on the track or sidelines. Why didn't we invite them to come, which was a bit disappointing. ”
Lyles will compete with his teammates in the men's 4X100 relay final on the 26th to compete for the third gold medal.
Source: Xinhua News Agency