Sporting not one but two Olympic medals, Noah Lyles returned to a hero’s welcome Sept. 15 as Alexandria rolled out the red carpet for the hometown hero and newly crowned “fastest man in the world.”

Lyles earned the moniker, traditionally bestowed on the winner of the men’s 100-meter race, in a come-from behind photo finish victory over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson Aug. 4 in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lyles went on to take bronze four days later in the men’s 200-meter final despite having COVID.

“I am thankful I have a city that supports me and comes out and gives thanks that I was even from here,” Lyles said in addressing a standing room only crowd at Alexandria City High School. “Not everyone has that opportunity.”

The festivities began with Lyles greeting crowds from atop a convertible along a parade route in Chinquapin Park adjacent to ACHS. He was accompanied by his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield, a Jamaican track and field Olympic medalist, as members of the ACHS band provided the celebratory fanfare.

The festive mood was evident as admirers from throughout the region gathered to get a glimpse of Lyles with signs and posters welcoming the Olympian home to where he began his track and field career.

“I am very proud to be a Titan,” Lyles said. “While I didn’t live all of my life here, Alexandria is a huge part of my life. This is where I started my journey to become the Noah Lyles that you see today. This is where I stopped focusing so much on high jump and became a sprinter.”

The celebration moved indoors to the ACHS gymnasium with Mayor Justin Wilson and ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt leading the cheers for Lyles.

“Every one of you in this room remembers where they were on that day in August when this man became the fastest man in the world,” said Wilson, who was barely heard above the roars of the crowd.

During the indoor program, Lyles was emotional and spoke through tears when remembering his high school coach Rayshawn Jackson, who died June 30 while Lyles was competing in the Olympic trials.

“Coach Rayshawn was a very instrumental piece of my career,” Lyles said. “I heard the news the day I won the 200-meter in the Olympic trials. It was a shock and a hard moment again in the Olympic Village knowing I could not be here for his memorial to give some remarks. He was a huge inspiration for my life.”

Lyles recalled Jackson’s encouragement as he transitioned from high jump to sprinting during his time in Alexandria.

“When I first came to TC I was just here for the high jump,” Lyles said. “But then I started running 300s, 200s, and eventually started doing the 100 and thought, ‘I may be good at this.’ I remember the first day Coach Rayshawn told me he thought I could be a 100-meter runner on top of being a 200-meter runner and encouraged me along the way. The day that I won the biggest race I thought that he would be there to see it. It was hard not having him there physically but I know he is here spiritually.”

Lyles’ mother Keisha Caine Bishop also praised Jackson for the support he showed both Lyles and his brother Josephus in their track aspirations.

“Without Coach Rayshawn my boys would never have lived their Olympic dreams,” Bishop said. “They were in 9th grade and went to Coach Rayshawn and told him they wanted to make the Olympic team as high schoolers. He didn’t laugh at them, he didn’t put them down, he didn’t doubt them. He figured out a way to make it happen. I am so appreciative of that.”

Lyles used his return to the city to show Bromfield some of his high school haunts.

“I was showing my girlfriend some of the places that I was living and went to during my childhood,” Lyles said. “When we were in high school, we’d go to Fairlington Pizza a lot. We’d finished practice and then my coach would drive us over there.”

Bishop also praised Fairlington Pizza, thanking the owner “as the guy who used to feed my kids every Friday night. Coach Rayshawn would take his paycheck and take the whole track team to Fairlington Pizza on Friday nights so shout out to Fairlington Pizza.”

The homecoming also included a winter coat collection for Alexandrians in need organized by the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation.

“Most of my life has been centered on ups and downs, peaks and valleys and team-oriented achievements,” Lyles said in closing. “As I go into the next part of my life, I want you all to know I truly am blessed to have you all a part of my team.”