Noah Lyles Shines in Historic Olympic 100-Meter Final
SAINT-DENIS, France — Once again, Noah Lyles struggled to find his rhythm out of the starting blocks. His reaction time was tied for the slowest among the elite eight-man field, a critical disadvantage that had previously hindered him in both the first round and the semifinals. With a lineup boasting some of the fastest sprinters in Olympic history, including the likes of Jamaicans Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville, as well as American Fred Kerley and defending Olympic champion Lamont Marcel Jacobs from Italy, the stakes were monumental.
At one point, seeing Lyles in fifth place just 20 meters into the race felt ominous. But Lyles himself remained unfazed. “It just goes to show,” he remarked, “races aren’t won with starts.” In a twist of fate, the poor start may have played to his advantage. Despite his brash persona, Lyles embodies the spirit of a fierce competitor. While he often comes across as confident and flamboyant, there is a depth of character and determination that defines him. His heart is as expansive as his bravado.
On Sunday night, in an Olympic 100-meter final that will be remembered for ages, Lyles proved his mettle. Faced with world-class competition and coming off two consecutive losses, he had to dig deep to unleash his best performance. That slow start ignited his most formidable asset: an unyielding refusal to accept defeat, transforming what could have been a disheartening final into a historic triumph.
Lyles clocked an astounding 9.79 seconds, technically recorded as 9.784. This victory marks him as the first American gold medalist in the 100 meters in two decades. After claiming the World Championships in 2023 and now securing an Olympic championship in 2024, he has firmly established himself as the fastest man on the planet.
Thompson finished with the silver medal at 9.789, while Kerley, who previously won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, secured bronze with a personal best of 9.81 seconds. Remarkably, five of the top six finishers recorded personal bests, a season best, or set national records. Seville, despite his impressive background, finished last with a time of 9.91 in this exceptional race.
Lyles expressed that the moment was never too grand for him; rather, it felt tailor-made. The atmosphere inside Stade de France was electric, and on this grand stage, he seized the moment, demonstrating that his words were backed by action. “I want my own shoe,” he declared, referencing his long-standing endorsement with Adidas. “I want my own trainer. … I want a sneaker. Ain’t no money in spikes. The money’s in sneakers.”
Lyles’ confidence is not without substance. His calculated approach to garnering attention might lead some to perceive him as overly self-assured, fueling a desire among certain fans to root against him. Yet, achieving what he has requires an indomitable spirit.
With phase one of Lyles’ grand vision for sporting greatness achieved, he now sets his sights on the 200 meters, which takes place on Monday. He is following in the footsteps of Carl Lewis, the last American to accomplish the sprint double of winning gold in both the 100 and 200 meters at the same Olympics, a feat accomplished by Lewis in 1984 in Los Angeles. Michael Johnson was the last American to triumph in both the 200 and 400 meters, achieving this at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
For Lyles, the most challenging aspect was clinching the gold in the 100 meters. The 200 is where he truly excels and has been recognized as the best in the world throughout this Olympic cycle. “I’m feeling pretty confident. I can’t lie,” Lyles admitted. “Kenny put up a fast time at trials. That definitely woke me up. I was very proud of him. He is definitely not going to take how he did here in the 100 lying down. He’s gonna say, ‘I’m going after it in the 200.’ My job is to make sure that …” He paused, flashed a grin, and added, “I’ll just leave it there.”
Kerley, who had been mostly reserved during the press conference, perked up at this moment, “Talk that s—,” he urged Lyles, to which Lyles replied, “That man ain’t winning. None of them are winning. When I come off the turn, they will be depressed.”
Ultimately, the essence of competitive banter lies in the ability to substantiate it with performance. Lyles faced his biggest test in the 100 meters, having finished seventh in the final at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials and missing the chance to compete in the Tokyo Games.
SEVENTH.
With the guidance of coach Lance Brauman, Lyles dedicated himself to transforming into an elite sprinter, and the results are undeniable.
