Olympics: US sprint star Lyles wins sensational 100m gold by 0.005 seconds
US sprint star Noah Lyles clinched the Olympic 100m title with a breathtaking photo finish, narrowly defeating Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by five-thousandths of a second at Paris 2024.
Lyles, known for his showmanship, surged ahead in the final stretch to secure victory with a personal best of 9.79 seconds, matching Thompson’s time but edging him out with a spectacular finish.
This win marks the start of Lyles’ quest for potentially four golds at the Games.
Former world champion Fred Kerley from the United States took bronze with a time of 9.81, narrowly beating South Africa’s Akani Simbine.
The final was exceptionally close, with all eight finalists finishing within 0.12 seconds of Lyles amidst a dramatic atmosphere at Stade de France.
GB’s Zharnel Hughes and Louie Hinchliffe did not advance past the final, while reigning champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy missed out on the medals and another Jamaican talent, Oblique Seville, came in last with 9.91 seconds.
Lyles, who thrives on major stages and previously won three golds at the World Championships, celebrated his victory by ringing the victory bell beside the track.
He now sets his sights on the 200m and relay events for further success.
“You couldn’t have asked for a bigger moment,” Lyles, who was seventh at the halfway stage, told BBC Sport.
“I had to take every round as it was and I was a little upset after the first round, so I came with the aggression and… I ran 9.83 [in the semi-final].
“I hope you guys like Noah because I’ve got a lot more coming!”
9.79, @LylesNoah the fastest man in the world putting on a 100m show.#Paris2024 #YouGotThis pic.twitter.com/xyymld3kE1
— adidas (@adidas) August 4, 2024
Lyles continues to deliver on big ambitions
Lyles has consistently expressed his belief that he possesses both the on-track prowess and charismatic presence needed to succeed Usain Bolt as the premier star in men’s athletics.
The American sprinter has not only talked confidently but has also delivered when it counts.
Last year, Lyles became the first man since Bolt in 2015 to win both the 100m and 200m world titles, adding a gold medal in the 4x100m relay to complete a golden treble.
Ahead of the Paris Games, Lyles stated his intention to add the 4x400m relay to his list of achievements, and he demonstrated his impressive form by setting a 100m personal best at the London Diamond League last month.
However, maintaining such success under the intense pressure of the Olympics, much of which is self-imposed, is a different challenge.
Lyles has now become the first American to win an Olympic 100m title in 20 years, since Justin Gatlin in 2004, solidifying his position as the leading sprinter of his generation.
As a three-time reigning world 200m champion, Lyles will aim to uphold his dominance in that event, which begins on Monday.
Achieving this will bring him closer to his goal of securing a historic four gold medals at these Games.
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