Noah Lyles can now truly claim the title of “World’s Fastest Man,” after crossing the finish line first by a margin of just 0.005 seconds in the 100-meter dash on Sunday night at the Paris Olympics. The Alexandria native and graduate of T.C. Williams High School, which is now known as Alexandria City High School, finished the race with a time of 9.784 seconds to win gold.
The win makes Lyles the first American to win gold in this event since 2004, according to USA Track & Field.
Lyles narrowly beat Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who finished with a time of 9.789 seconds. American Fred Kerley followed up for the bronze with a time of 9.81 seconds.
A video from NBC captures the moment Lyles crosses the finish line.
NOAH LYLES’ OLYMPIC DREAM COMES TRUE!
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
100M GOLD MEDALIST. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/qR6bkXLHhE
It was a close race all around. According to USA Track & Field, this race marked the first time that seven racers finished in less than 9.9 seconds and all eight finalists finished under 10 seconds.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, ups and downs,” Lyles said, according to World Athletics. “I’m usually a guy who likes to come out blazing in all my rounds, especially in the 200-meter. But the 100-meter, it’s my first time here on the Olympic stage.”
Lyles will return for his next event, round one of the 200-meter dash, Monday evening. He earned bronze in the event at the Tokyo Olympics.
During the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Lyles became the first male sprinter since Jamaica’s Usain Bolt to win gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races — becoming the new title holder of “Fastest Man in the World.”
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s News newsletter.
