American Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles laughed off criticism of his painted nails.
Lyles won the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics in 9.79 seconds to become the World’s Fastest Man.
Lyles, 27, spoke exclusively to Us Weekly about some of the criticism he faced for showing up to the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony with the word “ICON” painted on his nails.
“I’m a person who knows that a lot of people have different opinions and they have them for different reasons,” Lyles told Us Weekly via Zoom from the Olympic Village in Paris.
“To be honest, I’m so confident in myself that it doesn’t really matter. I think it’s funny at times.”
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Retired NBA star Dwyane Wade, who has a trans child, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “And he got his nails painted. Say something.”
One X user wrote: “I genuinely don’t have a problem with Noah Lyles. I like the energy he brings to the sport. But that painting of the nails s–t [is] for the ladies bruh.”
Another person wrote, “Noah Lyles has his nails painted …This is just at the halfway point of the opening ceremony. Disturbing thus far.”
Lyles has a chance to win another gold medal in the men’s 200m final on Tuesday, August 6, in Paris.
He is seen celebrating with his coach after winning the first gold medal for the U.S. in the men’s 100m in 20 years.
