After a TIME feature on American sprinter Noah Lyles hinted at frustration between Lyles and his apparel sponsor, Adidas, over an invitation to Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards's shoe release event, Lyles has released a statement in an attempt to calm the social media storm.
"This is a rumor going around that I did not go to [Anthony Edwards]'s shoe release because he didn't deserve it," Lyles said on X. "That is not the case. He definitely deserves his shoes. He is an amazing player. The problem was finding time based on my prior engagement. Congrats on becoming an Olympic champion!"
