Nearlywed Olympians Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield are Couple Goals

To appreciate Junelle and Noah's love story is to start at the beginning, when she slid into his DMs "just as friends" in 2017. "Let's just say the buildup to us getting together is probably a seven-year story," says Noah.

Photography: Chrisean Rose, Styling: Shibon Kennedy, Makeup: Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris, Hair: Mirna Jose, Nails: Pika, Tailoring: Iris Taborsky-Tasa

Junelle was living in Jamaica; Noah was stateside. The two maintained busy training schedules as professional athletes, seeing each other in person only a few times over the course of three years. "Three months after we started to text, Noah said he had something to tell me," says Junelle. "He called me and told me that he liked me." Noah smirks, sharing that he knew there was chemistry between them. "Anytime someone got into a relationship with someone else, we'd stop talking," he says. In 2022, Junelle and Noah saw each other a handful of times—the most ever—at various track meets, and in Jacksonville, Florida, Noah asked Junelle to be his girlfriend. "We were still long-distance," recalls Junelle. "At that point I hadn't decided if I was going to move to the US. We said we didn't want to ruin our friendship, so we decided on a three-month trial." This piques my interest and Noah clocks it. He explains that you date for three months and reassess the relationship with monthly check-ins. "We'd ask each other, 'How are you feeling? Do you want to keep doing this? Is there something you don't like or something you do like?' And so forth," he says. I'm awed by the intentionality of this. "After three months, you make the ultimate decision—are we going to stay together or are we going to break up and go back to being friends?" I know how the story ends, but I ask for more details. The trial was successful and the check-ins and moments of honest communication between the couple were lasting as well. "I feel as if the three months helped us to be more open about stuff we don't like," says Junelle. "It was a safe space to explain how you were feeling and what you wanted from the relationship." The couple continued the practice even after they were official. "It laid the foundation for us to always be in a situation where we're comfortable communicating," says Noah. I wrongfully assume that this practice came from therapy and Noah's mental health journey, which he has been vocal about. Noah laughs and tells me, "I actually learned it from my mom. She used it when she was dating, and I thought it was a good idea. But it has some foundation in mental health," he agrees.

Photography: Chrisean Rose, Styling: Shibon Kennedy, Makeup: Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris, Hair: Mirna Jose, Nails: Pika, Tailoring: Iris Taborsky-Tasa

I'm inspired by the depth of their relationship but hardly surprised. These high-achieving athletes have both overcome so much. Noah battled asthma, ADHD and dyslexia as a child and depression and anxiety as an adult. Junelle has overcome loss and cyberbullying; Noah describes her as one of the strongest, most resilient people he knows. Noah has been an advocate for mental health since the beginning of his career, using his platform to address and destigmatize mental health issues, especially within the athletic community. "I feel that the mental healthy journey is always going on—it never stops," says Noah. "Each day provides a new challenge."

The two agree that their shared discipline and lifestyle, including the mental toughness needed for their sport, is a gift. "I've been in previous relationships where there was a disconnect," says Noah. "While track and field is my job, it's also my first passion. It's what I want my legacy to be." Junelle is quick to agree but shares an important distinction that she believes has contributed to the couple's romantic success. "I usually tend to separate our relationship from track a lot, because I feel as if we're different people at the track," says Junelle. "It's a whole different personality and everything. Even when we're training together, Noah can't call me 'baby' at the track, because at the track, I'm Junelle. I'm not your baby at the track." Noah laughs, countering, "You would give your boyfriend pats at the gym but not at the track." Junelle explains that she didn't want a relationship that was tied to the sport. "I love the separation," she admits.

Fans of the running powerhouses watched their friendship blossom into something deeper from the sidelines. Throughout their relationship, the couple has fiercely supported one another on and off the track. At the Paris Olympics, Noah won gold in the men's 100 meters and bronze in the 200 meters, racing just two days after testing positive for COVID-19. He collapsed after the race and medics wheeled him off the track. His personal best of 19.31 seconds in the 200 meters is the American record, and his photo finish in this Olympic 100-meter race helped him secure the title "Fastest Man in the World." Junelle also competed in Paris and finished 8th in the semifinals of the women's 400 meters. She did not advance to the finals but championed Noah's journey and was on the sidelines to congratulate him after his races.

Photography: Chrisean Rose, Styling: Shibon Kennedy, Makeup: Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris, Hair: Mirna Jose, Nails: Pika, Tailoring: Iris Taborsky-Tasa

Junelle, a Jamaican native, has been on a healing journey since losing her mother to cervical cancer in 2021. Her death came just before Junelle's Tokyo Olympics campaign started. Noah offered a supportive ear and set out to boost her confidence at every turn. "At that time, I was in Jamaica," says Junelle. "I wasn't making any national teams or anything, so it was nice to have somebody who's at the top of their game telling you that you can do it too, no matter your circumstances or what you're going through." The track star considered hanging it all up, but Noah wouldn't let her. "I was going to quit, because it was getting hard mentally," Junelle remembers. "And Noah helped me get through that. He told me that I've got nothing to lose, that I am talented and whatever I aim for in life, I will be good at it."

In addition to being a steadfast admirer and hype man for his bride-to-be, Noah is also a fierce protector. Junelle faced unfair criticism at the 2024 Summer Games due to her relationship with Noah. People labeled her a "sellout" for dating an American sprinter, an area where Jamaica has dominated records and victories. She endured cyberbullying and received death threats. But Junelle tuned out the noise. "I don't care much for public opinion," she says. She was also subjected to colorism, with people making derogatory remarks about her skin tone. "I love my skin complexion," says Junelle. "I love my hair. I love everything about being Black, so the comments didn't affect me that much." Even so, she chose to speak out about colorism to empower others. "I want the Black children out there in Jamaica to know they're beautiful, and they need to know how to love themselves," she says. She credits therapy and her support system for seeing her through a difficult time. "It reminded us we already have a good foundation. It made us realize how strong it already was," says Noah.

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Photography: Chrisean Rose, Styling: Shibon Kennedy, Makeup: Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris, Hair: Mirna Jose, Nails: Pika, Tailoring: Iris Taborsky-Tasa

I ask the two to tell me about their engagement. Noah beams and Junelle giggles as he begins to retell the story. Noah worked with a local jeweler to have a custom ring made based on a style Junelle had tried on. "We went ring shopping, and after we left the store, she was calling all our friends," remembers Noah. He had the ring sent to his mom's house so Junelle wouldn't catch on. This was in July. "I was at the point of wondering where the ring was," says Junelle. I read a sign in the store that said you're supposed to get your custom ring in four weeks. I knew he had to have the ring," she adds.

"I'm an all-out guy, and I was trying to make this a surprise," says Noah sheepishly. Every year I have an end-of-season party, so I decided this is going to be it. It's my party; it's about me." Noah hired a planner to bring his vision to life, choosing an Airbnb with a scenic backyard, cuing the music, the lights and even arranging fireworks. In October, the couple traveled from their home in Orlando, Florida, to Miami for the proposal. In his excitement, Noah failed to pack the ring—luckily, his sister saved the day, handing it off just in time. When I asked Junelle if she was onto him, her face hints at a yes. "His family is not very good at keeping secrets. His sister didn't talk to me for six weeks," she says. "But when we were in Miami, he was a little bit stressed so I thought it's not happening, he's too grumpy right now."

Photography: Chrisean Rose, Styling: Shibon Kennedy, Makeup: Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris, Hair: Mirna Jose, Nails: Pika, Tailoring: Iris Taborsky-Tasa

After all the planning and thoughtful details, Noah winged his engagement speech. He began with a passage from 1 Corinthians and shared how he felt when the two got together. "I finally figured out what peace was," he professed to Junelle. "The ability to be vulnerable even though we have the most extremely uncomfortable conversations—every time we get through it, I feel so much happier knowing I can do this. I can do life together with you." He then asked Junelle, "Will you do life with me?" Before he could drop to a knee for the official ask, she said yes, prompting chuckles from their family and friends who were gathered nearby.

The two are planning a spring wedding in 2026. "I like big weddings; she likes very small weddings," Noah says. In the end, he's getting his way. "If we keep it under 200 people, that'd be great." Junelle will get what she wants too: She's hoping to lean into her Jamaican heritage through cuisine and wedding vendors. "I want to get as many Jamaicans involved as possible—my makeup artist, my dress, everything," says Junelle. The couple have decided to channel Junelle's colorism criticism into something beautiful. "One of our wedding themes will be all things melanin, all the shades," she shares. The two also plan to honor the people who are no longer with them. "My mom and my brother have passed away, so Noah had this amazing idea to have empty chairs at the front with their pictures on them," Junelle says. For his part, Noah is championing the music. "I'm going to be honest, the reception is definitely going to be heavily influenced by me," he says. Noah, an amateur rapper, is going for the party vibe. "I want everybody to have fun and interact with each other," he says. "I want the cultures mixing, people taking photos and everybody showing up in their Sunday best." And much like his engagement, Noah is committed to improvising his vows. "I have a bet going on with my brother's girlfriend," he explains. "I told her about two years ago that I would wing my vows, and I stand true to that." Junelle counters, "I most definitely will not. I get nervous in big crowds, so I need to write my vows."

Photography: Chrisean Rose, Styling: Shibon Kennedy, Makeup: Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris, Hair: Mirna Jose, Nails: Pika, Tailoring: Iris Taborsky-Tasa

For Junelle and Noah, the wedding day is just a moment in their love story. They're a fun-loving couple who relish the company of family and friends. They love to visit Universal Studios and ride roller coasters; she cooks on Sundays; they train together. It's palpable how much they genuinely enjoy each other's company. I asked when they each knew this was it. For Junelle, it was her desire to continue messaging Noah even though she hates text messages. "I'll answer a call anytime, but I don't answer text messages," she says. She shared that Noah was the first partner who really listened to her. After the death of her mother, she was feeling a void. "I always say, Noah came into my life on God's timing," she remarks. "My mom would listen a lot. We had a very close relationship. She would call me at 5 a.m. before practice so I could tell her everything, and at night it was the same. Noah is the second person to be that for me. I mean, you have friends that really listen, but it's different when you have a partner who listens." Noah knew when he kept coming back. "Even though we had only met each other in person like five times by 2022, she was constantly in my head," he says. "I knew this wasn't some fling. She was the first person to make me feel completely safe, to be completely open," Noah says. Junelle is quick to agree sharing, " You were the first person to make me feel like I can be myself." They credit this openness to their candid conversations, listening to each other's views before offering their own.

On set during the shoot for this story, the couple exudes an easy love, checking in with each other, trading compliments and laughs. It's total green flags. Noah has main-character energy, which Junelle complements while firmly holding her own. Before we wrap up, I ask what's next: Ten years down the road, what will Junelle and Noah's life look like? Without missing a beat, Noah declares, "Simba is going to be born." Simba is what Noah wants to name his first son, Junelle explains. "When he told me about it, I was like, that's a good idea," she says. "But then we started dating," she laughs sheepishly. Noah reminds her that there is no going back, and that she's stuck with him. "It's you and me forever," he jokes. The two do want children in the future. Junelle also wants two dogs, something they don't have time for now. And Noah wants a goat. "The G.O.A.T. [greatest of all time] has to have a goat," he quips.

Credits:

Photography by Chrisean Rose; Styling by Shibon Kennedy; Makeup by Jaleesa Jaikaran at Forward Artists using Loréal Paris; Hair by Mirna Jose; Nails by Pika; Tailoring by Iris Taborsky-Tasa; Story by Lauren Kay; Creative Direction by Nathalie Kirsheh; Produced by Lauren Kill

This story first appeared in the 2025 Choice Issue of The Knot Magazine. More exclusive imagery of Noah and Junelle, as well as fascinating features and planning advice can be found in our latest issue. Get your copy now!