*The 100-meter final at the Paris Olympics not only lived up to the hype but also delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in Olympic history. Noah Lyles snatched the gold medal from Kishane Thompson in a race that saw both sprinters clock identical times of 9.79 seconds.
However, it was Lyles who emerged victorious, separated from Thompson by a mere 0.005 seconds, securing his maiden Olympic title in a perfect photo finish.
The buildup to this clash was intense, with Lyles, the reigning World Champion, openly gunning for the gold even before the Games commenced. His Jamaican counterpart, Kishane Thompson, had set the stage ablaze with a scorching time of 9.77 seconds at the Jamaican Trials, marking him as a major contender for the top spot.
In Paris, Thompson further solidified his status as the man to beat by topping the semifinal charts with a 9.80-second run. As the finals approached, the anticipation reached a fever pitch.
The race itself was a spectacle. Thompson burst from the blocks and seemed poised to clinch the gold, demonstrating phenomenal speed and determination. But Lyles, with his characteristic closing speed, drew level, and the two crossed the finish line almost simultaneously. Initially, it seemed like a tie, but the official timings soon revealed Lyles had edged out Thompson by the slimmest of margins. Lyles clocked 9.79 (.784), while Thompson stopped the clock at 9.79 (.789), reports ClutchPoints via MSN News.
After his victory, Lyles expressed his elation and respect for his competitors.
“It’s the one I wanted, it’s the hard battle, it’s the amazing opponents,” Lyles remarked. “Everybody came prepared for the fight and I wanted to prove that I’m the man among all of them, I’m the wolf among wolves.”
This victory marked the first time in nearly two decades that an American sprinter clinched the Olympic gold in the men’s 100m, since Justin Gatlin’s triumph at the 2004 Athens Games.
Lyles’ win reson with many, including former NBA players and gold medalists, who took to social media to celebrate his achievement.
NOAH LYLES’ OLYMPIC DREAM COMES TRUE!
100M GOLD MEDALIST. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/qR6bkXLHhE
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
NOAH LYLES IS THE MEN’S 100M OLYMPIC CHAMPION! 🥇🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/QpanU1b131
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 4, 2024
Dwyane Wade was quick to commend Lyles, sharing a supportive note about the athlete’s nail polish—a personal choice both have been criticized for in the past.
“At this point, there’s not much you can say to Lyles since he’s a gold medalist, and Wade seems to love it,” Wade stated.
Magic Johnson, who watched the race from a yacht, expressed his jubilation on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “It’s the first time in 20 years that the US brings home the gold in the Men’s 100! Wow – what an exciting race!! @LylesNoah.”
Noah Lyles’ victory in Paris was not just a personal achievement but a testament to the prowess and determination of the American sprinter. His win has rekindled the Olympic spirit in American sprinting and set a new benchmark for future competitions.
We’re all on the yacht cheering for Noah Lyles after winning the Men’s 100M race and remaining the fastest man in the world! It’s the first time in 20 years that the US brings home the gold in the Men’s 100! Wow – what an exciting race!! @LylesNoah
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 4, 2024
With both Lyles and Thompson pushing each other to their limits, the 100m final at the Paris Olympics will be remembered as one of the most thrilling races in recent history, highlighting the raw excitement and competitive spirit that defines the Games.
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