By Ifeanyi Uwagwu
American speedster Noah Lyles lived up to the hype by delivering an exceptional performance in the 100m finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing the gold medal with a stunning personal best time of 9.79 seconds.
In one of the closest 100m finals in recent memory, Lyles edged out Jamaican Kishane Thompson, who also clocked 9.79 seconds but had to settle for the silver medal due to the photo finish. Fred Kerley of the United States claimed the bronze medal, finishing just behind with a time of 9.81 seconds.
South African sprinter Akani Simbine narrowly missed the podium, setting a new national record of 9.82 seconds to finish fourth. Despite his impressive performance, Simbine fell just short of earning a medal in this highly competitive race.
Lyles’ victory not only marks a significant achievement in his career but also highlights the intense competition and exceptional talent present at this year’s Olympic Games.
