The American men’s basketball team secured its fifth consecutive gold medal with a decisive 98-87 victory against France at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, after the win, the team surprised fans by taunting an American track and field athlete.
The official USA Basketball account on X (formerly known as Twitter) posted a photo with the caption, “Are we the World Champs now?” seemingly taunting Noah Lyles, a three-time world champion in the 200m. Lyles had previously criticized NBA teams for calling themselves world champions, as the league has 29 American teams and only one Canadian team.
Are we the World Champs now?
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/t4M9NeBkU6
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 10, 2024
This taunt was not well received by the fans, and they started criticizing USA Basketball in the comment section of the post.
One fan supported Lyles’ remark, saying, “Germany Men’s Basketball team is still the World Champions, while the USA Men’s Basketball team is the Olympic Gold medal Champions. Noah might have been rude, but he was right.”
Germany Men’s Basketball team is still the World Champions, while the USA Men’s Basketball team is the Olympic Gold medal Champions. Noah might have been rude, but he was right.
— Jagaban_MCFC 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@mcfc_jagaban) August 10, 2024
Meanwhile, another fan mentioned, “He really got into your minds… Noah Lyles won the gold in the 100 meters, the most noble event of the Olympic Games. In addition, he won a bronze while he was sick with Covid. He won SIX world championships, now that’s winning the world.”
He really got into your minds…
Noah Lyles won the gold in the 100 meters, the most noble event of the Olympic Games.
In addition, he won a bronze while he was sick with Covid.
He won SIX world championships, now that’s winning the world. pic.twitter.com/NBkIWuhM9p
— Sincero Jordan (@SinceroJordan) August 10, 2024
Another fan said, “No. Olympic Champ. And noah was referring to the *NBA champion* – not the Olympics champion.”
