American sprinter Noah Lyles will not compete in the 4x400m at the World Relays, claiming people were under ‘fire threat’ amid backlash over his selection

• Lyles was given his first chance at the 4x400m at the World Indoor Championships in March.
• The 26-year-old’s choice was widely criticized, including by his team-mates.
• DailyMail.com brings you all the latest international sports news

Noah Lyles will not compete in the 4x400m event at this weekend’s World Relays after it was revealed people were “exposed to fire threats” while competing at the World Indoor Games.

The American sprint star will aim to win four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, adding the 4x400m relay to his program in addition to the three events he won at last year’s world championships – 100m, 200m and 4x100m. ing.

Lyles was given her first chance at the 4×400 meters at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in March, when she ran the third leg where the United States won silver behind Belgium.

But the 26-year-old’s choice was widely criticized, with his teammate and 2022 world 100m champion Fred Curley accusing USA Track and Field of favoritism and acting like a “puppet”. did.

Despite the uproar, Lyles insisted he intended to qualify for the 4x400m in Paris.

But he refused, as the World Relays are being held here in Nassau, where teams are competing to qualify for the Olympics.

“Unfortunately, no, I’m not going to do that,” Lyles said. “Seeing someone run the 60m and then compete in the 4x400m caused a lot of controversy.

“Some people wrote me up, some people threatened to set me on fire. A lot of people in the United States were very, very, very angry that I drove a four-wheel drive. I did.

“I can’t go into details, but some of the coaches who were coaching players who were in four-wheel drive vehicles and couldn’t run were upset about it.

“They complained about the decision to upper management. Upper management decided to take action.

“I don’t know if something like this will happen again. Are they going to make new rule changes? I don’t know.

“However, the current rules set up mean that anyone who is actually on a team can participate in the relay.

“I’m going to keep doing what I’m supposed to do. It’s the relay coaches’ decision. I’m going to tell them the same thing — ‘I’m here if you want to take advantage of me, if you want to take advantage of me. If you don’t, that’s okay.” I’m not going to harbor any hurt feelings about it.

“I’m going to train specifically for the 100m and 200m and be as strong as I can for the 400m. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life.”

The World Relays begin on Saturday night, with Great Britain aiming to qualify for the Olympics in the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m.

A total of 14 of the 16 Olympic spots for each event will be decided here, with teams guaranteed a spot in Paris if they finish in the top two in Saturday’s heats.

Marcel Jacobs, the former Italian long jumper who shocked the world by winning gold in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, is one of the big names in action this weekend.

Asked about the pressure of defending his title in Paris, the 29-year-old said: “I don’t think it’s pressure.” Getting there and winning again is a huge motivation.

“I know it won’t be easy. But I’ll do my best to get there and win another gold medal.”