Noah Lyles fulfilled his promise of reinstating U.S. sprinting dominance by clinching the gold medal in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics.. Lyles secured the victory with a personal best time of 9.784 seconds, narrowly edging out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who finished with a time of 9.789 seconds. Fellow American Fred Kerley took bronze with a time of 9.810 seconds.
Lyles, a 27-year-old world champion renowned for his confidence and prowess in the 200 meters, admitted to underestimating his competitors during the qualification rounds of the 100 meters. However, his belief in his abilities proved successful, making him the first American to win the 100 meters since Justin Gatlin’s gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Kerley, who previously earned silver in the 100 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Games, joined Lyles on the podium, marking the first time since 2004 that the U.S. had two medalists in this event. Maurice Greene also won bronze alongside Gatlin’s gold that year. The U.S. has now medaled in 10 of the last 11 Olympic 100-meter races, with the exception of the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Lyles’ victory is a significant milestone for U.S. sprinting, highlighting the country’s return to prominence in the 100 meters on the global stage.
