The finish line as a measure of human limits. The lights go out at Stade France, the stands roar, then silence falls. A ritual that extends, minutes that become eternal for the athletes before the most important 10 seconds of their lives. The search for the fastest man in the world, the one who will put his name alongside Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, or Jesse Owens. Nothing less. And this time there are no clear favorites, everything is so open that the anticipation is wonderful. Like the seconds following the 100 meters in Paris 2024, when no one knows who on earth could have won, so close they arrived at the finish line. Finally. It's Noah Lyles with 9.79 seconds, the best time of his life at the most opportune moment.
9.794 to be more precise. The American prevailed, like a flash in Paris, a brutal comeback after another bad start from the blocks, to regain the lost throne, 20 years without a USA-made hundred-meter champion (since Justin Gatlin in Athens 2004). And he did it with the same time as Kishane Thompson, just five thousandths faster (9.789). A photo finish final. Lyles, the one who pursued it so much, the one aspiring to be a media and now also a sports star. The showman, the two-time world champion in Budapest, is now an Olympic champion in a race to remember. With his compatriot, Fred Kerley third (9.81), and the fourth fastest in Olympic history, South African Akani Simbine (9.82).
It is the eternal search for Usain Bolt's heir - as if it were possible - his legend is so great that he never ceases to be present. But the comparisons, the similarities, and of course, the differences pile up in the conversations of Saint Denis, which looks beautiful in these elegant lilac and blue colors that become more intense as night falls in Paris.
But, who will win the 100? Who will be the new king? ask the 80,000 eager spectators, at the great moment of the Games.
And eight candidates are presented - who, for the first time in Olympic history, will all run under 10 seconds in the final - each with their own story, all so evenly matched (the two Jamaicans and the two Americans have already finished between 9.80 and 9.84 in the semifinals), so open, that the only name that repeats in the predictions, with so many asterisks, is that of Noah Lyles.
The American from Florida, the boy who turned professional without going through college because he was so convinced of himself, spent the winter working on technique, the start with Lance Brauman, his coach, and improving his marks in the 60. He is the king of the 200, but he also wants the gold in the 100, like in the 2023 Budapest World Championships. The one he failed to achieve in Tokyo, when he had just stopped taking antidepressants after a pandemic that took a toll on him mentally. "It was hard for me to find the balance between being excited and staying calm throughout the year," he admitted. Not easy for him. In childhood, he suffered from a serious respiratory problem, nights in the hospital, and sports as a not recommended practice.
Lyles celebrates his victory.Martin MeissnerAP
He wants to be Bolt, like everyone else. And he tries to imitate his show, but it's not the same. If Bolt dazzled, he annoys his rivals with his psychological game, with his winks and antics with Snoop Dogg. In the semifinal, he gave challenging looks to Oblique Sevilla, who had surpassed him. In the final, he started like a wild colt in the presentation, jumped, gestured, ran almost halfway down the track, asked for more from the crowd, pounded his chest. Everything was worth it, even the hug and tears with his mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, afterwards.
The field of opponents also included two others who run under 9.80. And who were not Olympic champions by a hair. Bolt's heir wannabe is Kishane Thompson (silver), the sprinter tasked with regaining the throne for Jamaica, which was left without representatives in the Tokyo final. Injuries have been his handicap, but he is polished by Stephen Francis, the same one who managed Asafa Powell or Shelly-Ann Frazer Pryce. And he came to Paris with 9.77, the best mark of all in 2024, a month ago at the Kingston trials. And in the semifinals, he clocked a 9.80 as a warning. Alongside him, Sevilla and his 9.81 from the first round as an argument, although he did not respond in the final. Two 23-year-old guys.
There is also Marcell Jacobs, the surprising Italian from Tokyo, who barely made it into the final by time and there, he did show up, a favorite of the public, with a majestic start, ultimately finishing fifth, even injured afterwards.