In an electrifying climax to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, US sprinter Noah Lyles emerged victorious in the men’s 100m final, clinching the gold medal in one of the closest finishes in modern Olympic history. Lyles, the 27-year-old charismatic athlete from Florida, crossed the line in a breathtaking 9.784 seconds, just a hair ahead of Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who clocked 9.789 seconds. The razor-thin margin, determined by electronic timing, marked the narrowest victory since the technology’s introduction to the Olympics.
Lyles’ triumph ended the United States’ two-decade drought in the event, with the last American gold in the men’s 100m dating back to the 2004 Athens Games. Fellow American Fred Kerley secured the bronze with a time of 9.81 seconds. The dramatic finish left the Stade de France crowd in suspense as the scoreboard initially displayed “photo” beside seven of the eight competitors, awaiting confirmation of the final standings.
Reflecting on his victory, Lyles expressed a mix of relief and disbelief. “It’s the one I wanted,” he said, acknowledging the fierce competition. “It’s the hard battle, it’s the amazing opponents. Everybody’s healthy, everybody came prepared for the fight, and I wanted to prove that I’m the man amongst all of them. I’m the wolf amongst wolves.”
Lyles’ journey to Olympic gold was marked by personal challenges, including mental health struggles following a disappointing Tokyo 2020 campaign. Now, with the 100m crown in his grasp, Lyles sets his sights on a potential double with the 200m event.
The day’s events also saw Ukrainian athletes shine, with Yaroslava Mahuchikh winning gold in the women’s high jump and Ethan Katzberg of Canada dominating the men’s hammer throw. The athletics schedule promises more excitement, with anticipated clashes in the women’s 400m hurdles and 800m events.
