Noah Lyles wins 100m gold by five thousandths of a second

The United States finally won the 100-meter dash at the Olympics for the first time in 20 years thanks to Noah Lyles, who delivered as expected in the most crucial moment by winning by the narrowest margin ever—five-thousandths of a second—on Sunday.
 
The large screen certified Lyles' victory in a personal best 9.79 seconds, the same time as the Jamaican but ahead by the width of a vest. He feared he had left it too late to catch the strong Kishane Thompson in a blanket finish.

Thompson would have been celebrating a fourth Olympic gold for Jamaican men's 100-meter runners if the event had been 99 meters. However, Lyles, who finished quickly, maintained his form and timed his dive perfectly, adding Olympic gold to his world crown.

As he had always pledged, he would become the fastest man in the world. He tore his name bib from his shirt and proudly held it up with his red, white, and blue painted fingernails.

As the first American guy to win the 100-meter race at the Olympics since Justin Gatlin in 2004, Lyles said, "It's the one I wanted, it's the hard battle, it's the amazing opponents."

"I didn't do this against a slow field – I did this against the best of the best, on the biggest stage, with the biggest pressure."

Eight men had never before broken ten seconds in a wind-legal 100-meter race; thus, he was correct.

Despite setting a new national record of 9.83, American Fred Kerley finished third in 9.81, and South African Akani Simbini finished fourth, bringing the total number of fourth or fifth-place finishes at world championships to an astounding six.

In fifth place, with a heavy burden on his shoulders, was the defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy (9.85). In contrast, in sixth place, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo established a new national record with 9.86.

The event was of such a high level that Jamaica's Oblique Seville, who finished eighth, set a time of 9.91 seconds.

"I did not think I won. I didn't think I dipped at the right time, too early," said Lyles. "I even went up to Kishane while we were waiting and said, 'I think you got that one.' But then my name popped up, and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I'm amazing'.".'

A Disappointment for Thompson

Thompson was the quickest of the semi-finalists on Sunday with a time of 9.80, and he came in Paris as the fastest man in the world this year with a time of 9.77.

"I am a bit disappointed, but I am happy simultaneously," the actor stated. I wasn't patient enough with myself to let my speed bring me to the line in the position that I know I could have gone to."

In addition to his silver from Tokyo, former world champion Kerley had a fantastic race to take bronze.

"That was a great race, and anyone could have won it," he pointed out.

"I feel that I executed as well as I could. I came here for the gold and nothing else, but hey, everybody came here for the same thing, and only one can win. Whoever came off the best is the best."

In the semi-final, when Lyles seemed to be in the thick of things, Seville had already crossed the finish line first.

Having won three 200-meter world championships and a bronze medal at the most recent Olympics, the sport's greatest showman—and star of the smash hit Netflix series SPRINT—has become a genuine championship operator over the shorter distance.

"I think back to Tokyo when I messed up handling the rounds. From then on, I was like, 'I'm never going to do that again. I'm going to handle this correctly and practice over the years," he said, adding that he felt rattled after the semi and called one of his therapists for advice.

At the Paris Olympics, 27-year-old Lyles hopes to win four medals: in the 100-meter dash, in the 200-meter dash—his favorite event—, in the 4x100-meter relay, and maybe even in the 4x400-meter relay.

That would put them in the same league as their famously accomplished countrymen, Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, who did it at the same Olympics but in the long jump rather than the longer relay.

Elevate your betting experience with Sky247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favorite teams and games.