Hudson-Smith is hoping for a 'knight' to remember

NOAH LYLES jokes that the patch of carpet from his bathroom to the spare bedroom of his home is still wet from the stint Matt Hudson-Smith spent living with him.

- Matt Majendie

The world's fastest man was perpetually perplexed by the British 400m runner's penchant for never drying his feet after a shower, how fine he cut it time-wise to make practice and his generally carefree attitude.

But Lyles is also adamant Hudson-Smith is so good, he will end up being knighted by the King one day.

The pair appear unlikely former housemates but, come tonight, Hudson-Smith is aiming to emulate Lyles as an Olympic champion.

While Lyles is focused on repeating the sprint treble he achieved at last year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hudson-Smith is adamant his occasional training partner is no sort of inspiration.

"His success doesn't actually inspire me in the slightest, as I inspire myself," he said.

"He has his own mission, as do I. What he is doing is good, but I want to emulate my own success." For his part, Lyles is adamant his former lodger is a shoo-in for the gold tonight, and yet he seems both bemused and amused by him.