American sprinter Noah Lyles emerged victorious in the men’s 100m final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, clinching gold in a thrilling photo finish.
The 27-year-old crossed the line in 9.784 seconds, edging out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second, who finished with a time of 9.789 seconds at the Stade de France.
The United States won the gold medal in the coveted 100 sprint. It was breathtaking and close right to the finish line. #NoahLyles broke the American 20 yr drought in the 100 @Olympics in dramatic fashion. pic.twitter.com/o4oAz2pTTB
— I am that I am (@NubianThinker) August 4, 2024
USA’s Fred Kerley secured the bronze medal with a time of 9.81 seconds, while South Africa’s Akani Simbine placed fourth in 9.82 seconds. Despite a slow start out of the blocks, Lyles, the reigning world sprint champion, staged a remarkable comeback to narrowly overtake Olympic debutant Thompson, who had led for most of the race.
Lyles’ remarkable victory marks the beginning of his quest to win four gold medals in Paris, with the 200m and relay events still to come. The defending champion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs, finished fifth, with only 0.12 seconds separating the eight finalists.
Earlier in the competition, Team GB sprinters Louie Hinchliffe and Zharnel Hughes were eliminated in the men’s 100m semi-finals.
In a post-race interview, Lyles revealed that he initially thought Thompson had won the gold medal, saying, “I did think [Thompson] had it at the end. I went up to him after, while we were waiting, and I even said ‘I think you’ve got that, good going’, and then my name popped up and I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m amazing’.”
Lyles’ remarkable victory marks the first time an American has won the men’s 100m gold since Justin Gatlin’s triumph at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The dramatic photo finish showcased the intensity and unpredictability of the event, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats until the final result was announced.
Never seen a Finish so close! Go USA
Lyles wins sensational 100m gold by just 0.005 seconds!American Noah Lyles won the Olympic men’s 100m title by five-thousandths of a second from Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a dramatic photo finish at Paris 2024. pic.twitter.com/xVov8n4jCM
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