American Noah Lyles Secures Men’s 100m Gold Medal at Paris Olympics 2024

Champion Noah Lyles thundered to triumph in 9.79 seconds to seize the top prize in a thrilling men’s Olympic 100m final in Paris on Sunday. Lyles became the initial American, man or woman, to capture the title since Justin Gatlin emerged victorious in the 2004 Athens Games. In a close finish, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson secured the silver medal, just five-thousandths of a second behind Lyles. Lyles’ US compatriot Fred Kerley claimed the bronze in 9.81 seconds, narrowly edging out South African Akani Simbine, who clocked in at 9.82 seconds. Defending champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy finished fifth in 9.85 seconds, while Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo came in sixth with a time of 9.86 seconds. American Kenny Bednarek finished seventh in 9.88 seconds, with Jamaican Oblique Seville rounding out the race in eighth place with a time of 9.91 seconds.

Commencing in lane seven, on the outside of Seville and inside Tebogo, Lyles started off with an average beginning but quickly found his rhythm.

With his head down through the first 40 meters, the American sprinter then accelerated, with the entire field pushing him to the limit.

As Lyles crossed the finish line with Thompson hot on his heels, the crowd erupted and a close finish was declared before Lyles was officially declared the gold medalist.

The pre-race atmosphere was electric in the 69,000-seat Stade de France, with a dazzling light show and pulsating bass-heavy music keeping the spectators entertained as the sprinters made their final preparations at the starting blocks.

After the lights were dimmed, the sprinters left the track to re-enter like gladiators in a colosseum.

Introduced individually over the speakers, each sprinter was presented with an image of their name alongside their country’s flag.

Thompson let out a roar, clenching his fists as he threw his head back. Kerley tapped his chest.

Lyles bounded out like a kangaroo, bouncing 20 meters down the track. Jacobs remained composed, raising both arms and calmly walking to his blocks.

And then came the moment where the sprinters settled, ready at the starter’s command.

The wait felt endless. The music played on, the crowd clapped in unison as if urging the starter to begin, and the sprinters stood in their lanes, shifting their weight from foot to foot, the tension palpable.

The cameras scanned the field once more, and then it was time, with the only sound being the whirring of a helicopter’s blades overhead.

The signal was given and the competitors surged forward as one on the purple track.

The officials at the photo-finish examined the evidence, and Lyles walked away with the gold medal, putting to rest the disappointments of the Tokyo Games where he had only managed to secure a bronze in the 200m event.