How Noah Lyles Won the Men’s 100-Meter Gold by a Fraction (2024)

Noah Lyles of the United States was slowest out of the blocks (0.178 seconds). He said after the race, “That goes to prove that reaction time does not win races.”

Noah Lyles of the United States was slowest out of the blocks (0.178 seconds). He said after the race, “That goes to prove that reaction time does not win races.”

The silver medal winner, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, recovered from his own slow start and accelerated to the slimmest of early leads.

The silver medal winner, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, recovered from his own slow start and accelerated to the slimmest of early leads.

Lyles trailed the entire pack of eight during much of the first 40 meters, although no one was able to pull away from the field.

Lyles trailed the entire pack of eight during much of the first 40 meters, although no one was able to pull away from the field.

At about three seconds into the race, Lyles’s speed starts to approach Thompson’s, keeping Lyles within striking distance.

At about three seconds into the race, Lyles’s speed starts to approach Thompson’s, keeping Lyles within striking distance.

Lyles is known to perform his best in the biggest moments, and the last 50 meters would determine if he would live up to his reputation.

Lyles is known to perform his best in the biggest moments, and the last 50 meters would determine if he would live up to his reputation.

Male sprinters reach top speeds at about 60 meters, and the entire field, averaging more than 25 miles per hour, seemed to be running in sync.

Male sprinters reach top speeds at about 60 meters, and the entire field, averaging more than 25 miles per hour, seemed to be running in sync.

Fred Kerley, who appeared to run stride for stride with Thompson, would hang on for bronze.

Fred Kerley, who appeared to run stride for stride with Thompson, would hang on for bronze.

Lyles did not lead at any point in the race until the final stride. If the race was 99 meters instead of 100, he would have received silver.

Lyles did not lead at any point in the race until the final stride. If the race was 99 meters instead of 100, he would have received silver.

Lyles came into the race ranked No. 1 in the world, but he had to run his fastest time ever to win the Olympic gold medal, and he did so by the slimmest of margins — 0.005 seconds.

Lyles came into the race ranked No. 1 in the world, but he had to run his fastest time ever to win the Olympic gold medal, and he did so by the slimmest of margins — 0.005 seconds.