When it comes to American sprinting, Noah Lyles is now a household name that brings about speed and flash. With his lightning-fast race on the track, Lyles adds a mixture of natural talent, bold character, and dramatic flair. But it would be wrong to say that Lyles achieved this fame overnight. Noah Lyles first made the world sit up and take notice back in 2019 when he took home gold in the 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Doha. That win was his big breakout moment. Fast forward to 2022 in Eugene, Oregon, and Lyles was back at it, not only defending his 200m title but also helping Team USA snag gold in the 4x100m relay. By then, there was no question—he was one of the best in the game.
And just when fans thought they’d seen it all, Lyles turned up the heat in 2023. At the Budapest World Championships, he did the unthinkable—sweeping the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. The previous person to achieve that? Usain Bolt back in 2015. The thing is: Lyles is not all medals and records. Off the racing track, there’s a creative side to him as well, and he carries it with him proudly—literally. Tattoos are part of his way of expressing himself, another medium through which he communicates to the world who he is.
How many tattoos does Noah Lyles have?
Noah Lyles has a few tattoos, and every tattoo carries its own story and meaning. Though the exact number remains unclear, the ones he has talked about and shown to the world are two. Over the years, he has even given his fans a sneak peek of his ink on the skin, giving them an idea of the emotional symbolism that drives him. And his path and attitude are reflected in his tattoos.
How do Noah Lyles’ tattoos tell the story of his athletic journey?
Noah Lyles’ tattoos are more than just body art—they’re powerful symbols that reflect his evolution as an athlete and his deep personal connection to the Olympic dream. “I got ‘ICON’ tattooed over my torso because it reminds me what I want to be known as when I die,” Noah Lyles once said. After winning a bronze medal in the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics on August 4, 2021, Lyles celebrated the moment by tattooing the iconic Olympic rings just below his right ribcage.
This wasn’t just a celebratory gesture—it was a rite of passage shared by many Olympians, representing years of sacrifice, training, and triumph. From the front, the rings are on his left side, balancing his other icon tattoo on the right—both representing his path to being an Olympic icon.
What makes Lyles’ tattoo especially meaningful is how it complements his existing ink. In a sport where every second counts, these tattoos mark the milestones Lyles has achieved and symbolize the greatness he’s relentlessly pursuing. And beyond Noah Lyles’ tattoos, there is one thing that brought him criticism, yet confidence.
Does Noah Lyles have his fingernails painted?
Noah Lyles is a track star and, it wouldn’t be wrong to say, a fashion icon as well. Lyles is often seen experimenting with fashion; he even admitted in an Adidas Y-3 video, “I just found fashion as another outlet for how I want to express myself.” One of them is fingernails painted. Yes, for those who follow Lyles closely, he often keeps his nails painted. He even painted his nails white with the word “ICON” written in blue polish for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. That wasn’t it, Nojo18, even painted them red, blue, and white when he won gold in the 100 m dash.
And with a large fan following for his speed and outspoken nature, there are critics who follow him, especially because of his painted nails. When asked about the backlash he gets, Noah Lyles told US Weekly, “I’m a person who knows that a lot of people have different opinions and they have them for different reasons.” He further added, “To be honest, I’m so confident in myself that it doesn’t really matter. I think it’s funny at times.”
Of course, there are just as many people who oppose the painted fingernail craze as there are who are in favor of it. Following Lyles’ victory in the 100-meter dash in Paris, NBA Hall of Famer Dwayne Wade wrote a message on X, and Lyles’ mother also painted her nails in honor of her son. With the upcoming Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships and LA 2028, Noah Lyles is all geared up to show the world that he is a force that no one can stop.
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