Noah Lyles Getty Images
American track sensation Noah Lyles has reached unprecedented heights in his sport, but he’s not satisfied – he’s set his sights even higher.
Lyles secured the gold medal in the men’s 100m event at the Paris Summer Olympics, a historic first for the Florida native. His victory was the closest on record, with a mere five-thousandths of a second (.005) separating him from Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson. This nail-biting finish is reminiscent of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where Great Britain’s Allan Wells and Cuba’s Silvio Sarria both clocked 10.25 seconds, with Wells taking the top spot.
“I honestly thought Thompson had won,” Lyles shared with reporters, recalling the intense moment. “I approached him and said, ‘You got this one, big dog.’ Then my name flashed on the screen, and I was like, ‘Wow, I’m incredible!’
Lyles’ triumph marks the first time an American has claimed the top prize in the event in 20 years, breaking the Jamaican dominance led by the legendary Usain Bolt. Lyles often cites Bolt as his greatest competitor, and his ultimate goal is to surpass the retired superstar’s records.
The 2024 Paris Olympics have treated us to several unforgettable moments since their inception on July 26. One of the most iconic snaps emerged during the third round of the men’s surfing competition on July 29. Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina pulled off an incredible barrel ride in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, and then celebrated with a triumphant gesture in mid-air. […]
Although Lyles’ winning time of 9.79 seconds is an impressive personal best, it still falls short of Bolt’s Olympic record (9.63 seconds) and world record (9.58 seconds). However, Lyles is far from done, with the 200m event still to come on Tuesday. A gold medal in his preferred event would make him the first man to achieve the double since Bolt in 2016, and the first American to do so since Carl Lewis in 1984.
As Team USA takes on the 2024 Paris Olympics, the American athletes have already made a significant impact at the summer Games. The 2024 Olympics kicked off on July 26 with an impressive opening ceremony that took place entirely outdoors on the River Seine and featured performances from the likes of Celine Dion and Lady Gaga. The American contingent has been racking up medals since then, with Lyles’ historic win being just one of many highlights. […]
Bolt, for his part, believes that Lyles has the potential to break his record. In a March interview, he offered some cryptic advice, saying, “If he corrects a few things, he could get better. The possibility is there… I won’t tell you how to break the world record.”
Only time will tell if Lyles can surpass Bolt’s records, but one thing is certain – the American sprinter is on a mission to make history.
