Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce revealed feelings of envy when Noah Lyles said he doesn’t follow a strict diet. The former then shared the hard reality of female athletes watching what they eat, as they’re usually running in two pieces with their abs showing.
Lyles and Fraser-Pryce shared the panel at the Bajaj Pune Marathon, which they attended as international ambassadors.
Noah Lyles’ Diet Gets Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Jealous
Lyles, the reigning 200m World champion, was asked about the one food he craves and digs into after his races. In response, he clarified that the notion of athletes being on strict diets is a myth, and his food habits remain consistent throughout the year. He indulges in milkshakes and doesn’t like to make drastic changes to his food choices.
Fraser-Pryce gave Lyles a playful, jealous side-eye and lightheartedly expressed her envy, noting that female athletes have to be more conscious of their diet due to body image expectations on the track. She added that showing abs is one thing, but even slight bloating can be seen as detrimental.
“I’m really really jealous because think for Noah because he literally runs in a layer. So there’s no abs peeking out or for us we are in like two pieces. So we’re either in our hot pants and a crop top. So for us it’s almost like I have to watch what I eat because I don’t want to be bloated.”
READ MORE: Noah Lyles Explains Why His Medals Mean More Than Just Winning Races
While Lyles amassed two golds and a bronze at the World Championships this year, three-time Olympic gold medalist Fraser-Pryce capped her 18-year-old track career in the same World edition. The latter stands as the female athlete with the most individual global sprint titles in history and also became the oldest sprinter ever to win a world championship at 35 in 2022.
Noah Lyles Reveals Real Behind Striving For More Medals
Fresh off the Usain Bolt era, track athletes felt pressured to match his level and lower record times, or at least come close to the standard he set.
Lyles was no exception, and he continues to pursue excellence, aiming to transform the sport and be the fastest man in history.
At the Pune Marathon press conference, the 28-year-old stated that he had always aimed to make his own mark and push his limits on the track.
The American sprinter won a Diamond League podium in Monaco after falling to Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson in three outings. He also lost the 100m gold to Seville in the Worlds.