Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles has taken a strong stand in defense of his girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, against online trolls who have been targeting her with harsh criticism. Lyles, 27, expressed his support for Bromfield, 26, in a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday, August 17, highlighting her resilience and accomplishments in the face of adversity.
“I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of my GF and give her the flowers she deserves now. She has been through so much in her life that I could never imagine fighting through,” Lyles began in his lengthy caption.
He praised Bromfield not only for her achievements as a 2-time Olympian and multiple world championship medalist but also for enduring the “pure disrespect and hatred towards her from her own country.” Lyles emphasized how Bromfield has continued to move forward with grace, trusting that “God will always make a way.”
Bromfield, who represents Jamaica in international competitions, responded to Lyles’ post by expressing her deep appreciation for his unwavering support, which she says dates back even before they started dating in 2022.
She recalled a touching moment in 2019 when Lyles, despite celebrating his own success as a World Champion, took time to comfort her after her brother’s passing and ensured she felt cared for during the holiday season. “That’s the type of person you are. I love and appreciate you always,” Bromfield wrote.
While the couple didn’t disclose the specific nature of the online negativity directed at Bromfield, it is believed to stem from comments Lyles made during an episode of the “Track World News” podcast. In the podcast, Lyles implied that Bromfield had shared internal details about the Jamaican track and field team with him, leading to backlash from some fans. Lyles remarked, “I have been getting the drama from the Jamaican camp [for] at least five years now,” which some interpreted as a violation of trust within the team.
One Instagram user commented on Lyles’ post, suggesting that the backlash Bromfield faced was a result of Lyles’ remarks, not any wrongdoing on her part. “She told you something about what’s happening in Jamaica with the other athletes and YOU took it to the media… That’s what caused all of this,” the user wrote, adding that Bromfield was well-loved before this incident and advising Lyles to consider apologizing to the people of Jamaica.
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Despite the controversy, many fans rallied around Lyles, praising him for standing by Bromfield during this challenging time. One user urged Lyles to marry Bromfield, noting how incredible she seems based on his testimony.
Lyles and Bromfield’s relationship dates back to a chance connection on social media in 2017. They later crossed paths at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, though they were both in relationships with other people at the time. Their romance blossomed after that encounter, and they reunited for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which concluded earlier this month.
While Bromfield did not secure any major victories in Paris, Lyles added to his medal collection with a gold in the men’s 100-meter final and a bronze in the men’s 200-meter final. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the men’s 4×100 meter relay after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Despite the ups and downs, the couple’s bond appears stronger than ever as they continue to support each other both on and off the track.
