Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion in the 100 and 200 meters, is confident in his claim to the title of the "fastest man in the world" as he prepares for the Paris Olympics. Despite facing criticism on social media, Lyles stands firm in his belief that the prestigious title rightfully belongs to him.

The controversy surrounding Lyles' proclamation began when a video introducing him at the opening ceremony of the Olympics was posted on Team USA's social channels. Standing on a boat along the Seine River, Lyles confidently declared himself as the "fastest man in the world," earning both admiration and skepticism from viewers.

The video quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 10 million views in just three days. Addressing the controversy during a news conference, Lyles maintained his confidence and humorously quipped, "It's me. It's always going to be me."

Lyles' charismatic personality and unwavering self-assurance have become synonymous with his athletic prowess. The 27-year-old sprinter is etching his name in history, having already secured world championship titles in both the 100 and 200 meters at last year's championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Notably, Lyles' victory in the 100 meters was an unexpected triumph, as the event was previously considered his weaker of the two sprint races. Since then, Lyles has continued to showcase his speed and skill, posting impressive times of 9.83 seconds at the 2023 world championships and another 9.83 seconds at the U.S. trials in June.

However, Lyles will not have an easy path to claiming the Olympic gold. Competitors like Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville from Jamaica have shown remarkable speed this year, with Thompson boasting a world-leading time of 9.77 seconds. Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala also poses a threat with his time of 9.79 seconds in June.

While some track enthusiasts argue that Usain Bolt's world record time of 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters sets the benchmark for the "world's fastest man" title, Lyles remains undeterred in his pursuit of glory.

In response to the controversy, Lyles clarified his statement in a YouTube video, explaining that the title of the "fastest man" is awarded annually to the winners of the 100-meter event at the World Championships. He won the men's 100 meters at the 2023 World Championships, and Sha'Carri Richardson won the women's event. Lyles emphasized that his intention was not to disrespect past records or times, but to highlight the criteria for the title.

As Lyles prepares to compete in the Olympic men's 100-meter preliminaries at the Stade de France on Saturday, all eyes will be on him to prove himself as the "fastest man in the world." With his impressive performances and unwavering self-belief, Lyles is a formidable contender, ready to leave his mark on the Paris Olympics.