Noah Lyles has revealed a dreadful move he pulled to edge out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson and Co in the 2024 Paris Olympic 100m final.
In one of the most electrifying races in Olympic history, Noah Lyles clinched gold in the men’s 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, narrowly edging out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by mere milliseconds, both clocking 9.79 seconds.
The photo finish left spectators and athletes alike in suspense, but it was Lyles’ incredible lean at the finish line that sealed his victory.
The race, a masterclass in speed, saw Lyles initially struggle. “I was in last place for the first 50 meters of the race. The data shows it,” Lyles admitted.
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Noah Lyles has explained why he is excited to race Kishane Thompson in more showdowns after admitting the Jamaican has “alot of talent”.
Despite his sluggish start, the 100m world champion kept his composure, relying on his experience, faith, and a daring decision in the final moments.
“I say this every time, I didn’t know if I won. I didn’t think I won. I didn’t even know what happened,” Lyles said, recalling the intense finish. “I couldn’t see anybody! I literally crossed the line, and all I had was a feeling.”
That feeling, Lyles revealed, came from a split-second decision to lean forward, a technique he typically avoids unless absolutely necessary.
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“You know, I’m a man of faith as well, and I remember getting closer to that line, and something just told me, ‘You gotta lean.’ I rarely lean because I don’t believe leaning is very good unless it’s a dire situation. But in that moment, I could literally feel myself thinking, ‘I’m in the pack, but I don’t think I’m winning. I feel like I’m in the top two, maybe top three.’”
That intuition and the daring lean made all the difference, propelling him ahead of Thompson in the final milliseconds. “As I got closer to the line, I thought, ‘I need to dive.’”
Critics have long pointed to Lyles’ perceived weakness in starting races, often comparing him unfavorably to rivals like Thompson. Lyles, however, used those criticisms as fuel.
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“So many people are like, ‘Oh, you know, he’s not a great starter. He’s not going to be able to win. Kishane is just that much better,’ and yadda yadda,” Lyles said.
“But it’s like, guys, y’all don’t know what it’s like to be on the biggest stage for the main event,” he added.
For Lyles, the race wasn’t just about physical prowess but also mental resilience.
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Fred Kerley played American football back in high school as a corner back who “liked to hit people’ but chose the world.
“When the chips are down—look, we were just talking about being in that moment—we all know it. When you’re out there by yourself, there’s nobody else who can help you. It’s just you. You and you alone. And you have to have that unbelievable faith that this moment was made for you. Because if you don’t, somebody else is going to take it.”
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be remembered as a defining moment in Lyles’ illustrious career. His unwavering belief, combined with a calculated risk, solidified his status as one of the greatest sprinters of his generation.
