Noah Lyles Triumphs in Dramatic 100m Finish at Paris 2024

Noah Lyles triumphed in a dramatic Olympic 100m final at Paris 2024, winning by five-thousandths of a second over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson. Lyles surged in the second half, clocking a personal best of 9.79 seconds, the same time as Thompson, who had led most of the race. Former world champion Fred Kerley of the USA took bronze in 9.81 seconds.

The race held at Stade de France saw all eight finalists finish within 0.12 seconds of Lyles, showcasing the high competition level. Italy’s defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs and Jamaican rising star Oblique Seville finished out of the medals. Lyles, known for his grand stage performances, celebrated his victory with the crowd after a tense wait for the official results.

Noah Lyles aims for further golds in the 200m and relay events, having already established himself as a dominant sprinter. He expressed his excitement and confidence in an interview with BBC Sport, stating, “You couldn’t have asked for a bigger moment… I hope you guys like Noah because I’ve got a lot more coming!” Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Louie Hinchliffe failed to reach the final.

Hinchliffe’s rise from obscurity to an Olympic debut was remarkable, but he did not advance past the semi-finals. Despite his disappointment, Hinchliffe remains optimistic about his future, aiming to learn from the experience. Hughes, hindered by a hamstring injury, also fell short of his previous year’s achievements. He remains focused on recovery and future competitions, including the upcoming 200m event.

Lyles’ victory marks the first American win in the Olympic 100m since Justin Gatlin in 2004, solidifying his status as the dominant male sprinter and enhancing his pursuit of multiple golds at these Games.