Was this the greatest race ever?
The anticipation at Stade de France was palpable, with a mesmerizing pre-race lightshow and dramatic music setting the stage for what would become an unforgettable 100m final.
Noah Lyles’ exuberant celebration marked his first Olympic victory, as he narrowly clinched the win by just five-thousandths of a second over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a thrilling photo finish, clocking in at 9.79 seconds.
This race was historic, not only for its tight finish but because all eight competitors finished within 0.12 seconds of each other, with the last-place finisher clocking a time that would have placed fourth in the previous Olympics.
For the first time in history, eight men completed a wind-legal race in under 10 seconds, making it the fastest race ever. Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic champion, described it as the best 100m final he has ever seen, surpassing all others in excitement and competitiveness.
Lyles’ victory was a culmination of a dramatic comeback. Initially lagging at the start with one of the slowest reaction times, he surged in the final meters, dipping his torso at the line to snatch gold. His top speed and strategic sprinting in the latter half of the race were key to his unexpected victory.
Thompson had led for most of the race and seemed poised to win until the final moments. The margins were incredibly slim, with Lyles managing slightly faster splits in the critical last 20 meters.
The emotional rollercoaster continued after the race as competitors and spectators alike waited for the official results. Lyles himself was unprepared for his win, illustrating the sheer unpredictability of the event.
The race also set records for the finishers from fourth to eighth place, with personal bests and national records being broken, showcasing the depth of talent and the high stakes of the competition.
Lyles, who has often been seen as the successor to Usain Bolt, not only proved his prowess on the track but also highlighted his ambition to redefine the sport, pushing for recognition and respect for athletes.
This race was more than just a competition; it was a spectacle that lived up to and surpassed the hype, cementing its place in athletic history and demonstrating the sheer thrill of track and field.
