Fastest Man in the World Backs Up His Prediction
In yesterday’s 100-meter dash, the fastest men in the world put on a show for the ages. American Noah Lyles, considered joint-favorite with Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, took home the gold in what is likely the closest race in Olympic history. While at first it appeared Thompson had eked out the win, officials went to a photo finish showing Lyles edging out his rival by an incredible 0.005 seconds. After trailing early, Lyles closed strong. He reached his peak speed after the 60-meter mark, at over 27 MPH.
Even with the photo finish, this was hardly just a two-man race. The first four runners were separated by only 0.03 seconds. American Fred Kerley won the bronze medal with a time of 9.81, while both Lyles and Thompson registered efforts of 9.79 seconds. The race was agonizingly close from top to bottom, with the last-place runner, Oblique Seville of Jamaica, clocking a time of 9.91 seconds.
Lyles had been confident heading into Paris. “I knew that when the time came for me to be able to say, ‘This is the final, this is where I need to put it together,’ I was going to do it,” said the sprinter. Lyles will now attempt to complete the sprint double with the 200-meter event beginning today. The final is scheduled for Thursday.
Noah Lyles celebrates winning the gold medal in the Men’s 100m Final. (Photo by Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages)
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