Being weighed down by medals is welcome for Noah Lyles - now free of COVID-19, finally able to celebrate being the world's fastest man while addressing a bigger mission to unite the US. "I'm not gonna lie. They're pretty heavy," the American sprint sensation told Sky News.
"It's a good thing I work out my neck at times too." Especially as he won't want to remove the 100m gold and 200m bronze won in Paris for some time. But it is about more than just winning.
Just look at the sprint on to the track, flamboyant and energetic before both finals at the Stade de France. "I try to be a showman - some people criticise me for it, some people love it," Lyles said. "They're watching because they want to see who's going to be the fastest.
And that's what I want to bring. I want to bring entertainment to it. "I know that just because I win it doesn't mean that I'll gain fans.
I need to keep going. "I want track and field to be known for, not just it's a fast race. I want you to enjoy the whole spectacle of it, the entertainment part of it.
" Among those entertained was Joe Biden in the White House . "I got a call from the president a few days ago - he told me I bring hope to him," Lyles said. "As a runner, I don't usually see myself as somebody who's trying to bring the country together.
I'm just trying to put on a show. "But in doing so, sometimes that's all people need. All they need is a little bit of excitement, a little bit of hope, and all of a sudden they're willing to say, maybe w.