Lyles' 0.005 Second Win in 100m
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noahrosenstein
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Noah Lyles' gold medal win in the men's 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics was a historic and thrilling moment, decided by a mere 0.005 seconds in a photo finish against Jamaica's Kishane Thompson. Lyles' victory, with a time of 9.784 seconds, marked the first time an American had claimed the title of "World's Fastest Man" since Justin Gatlin in 2004. This win not only showcased Lyles' exceptional sprinting skills and precise execution of the lean technique but also highlighted his remarkable comeback after not competing in the 100m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Noah Lyles' Olympic Gold
forbes.com
Noah Lyles' victory in the men's 100-meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics was a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the greatest sprinters of his generation. Key aspects of his triumph include:
- Overcoming a slow start to surge ahead in the final meters, showcasing his exceptional acceleration and top-end speed1
- Executing a perfectly timed lean at the finish line, thrusting his chest forward to secure the win by a margin of just 0.005 seconds over Kishane Thompson2
- Becoming the first American to win Olympic gold in the men's 100m since Justin Gatlin in 2004, ending a 20-year drought for the U.S. in this prestigious event3
- Setting a personal best time of 9.784 seconds, further cementing his position among the elite sprinters in history4
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Historical Context of Lyles' Time
Noah Lyles' winning time of 9.784 seconds in the men's 100-meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics places him among the elite sprinters in history. Here are some key points that provide historical context for his achievement:
- Lyles' time is the fastest recorded by an American since Justin Gatlin's 9.85 seconds in 2004, ending a 20-year gold medal drought for the U.S. in this event123.
- His performance is the 13th-fastest 100m time in history. Usain Bolt still holds the world record of 9.58 seconds set in 200914.
- Lyles' time is a personal best, improving on his previous record of 9.81 seconds12.
- His victory continues the legacy of American dominance in sprinting, following in the footsteps of legends like Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene124.
4 sources
Lyles' Lean Technique
arkansasonline.com
Noah Lyles' victory in the 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics was secured by his masterful execution of the lean technique at the finish line. This crucial skill involves thrusting the chest forward in the final moments of the race to cross the line first. Lyles' perfectly timed lean gave him the edge over Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds, demonstrating the technique's importance in sprint events
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. The lean is particularly critical in close races, as Olympic rules determine the winner based on the torso crossing the finish line, not the feet or arms 3
. Lyles' ability to maintain his form and execute this technique under pressure highlights his elite sprinting skills and mental fortitude, ultimately securing him the gold medal in one of the closest finishes in Olympic history.3 sources
Historic Close Finishes
vault.si.com
Noah Lyles' victory by 0.005 seconds in the 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics joins a select group of historically close finishes in Olympic sprinting. Here are some of the closest finishes in Olympic 100m history:
- 1980 Moscow Olympics: Allan Wells (GBR) beat Silvio Leonard (CUB) by 0.02 seconds
- 1984 Los Angeles Olympics: Carl Lewis (USA) edged Sam Graddy (USA) by 0.02 seconds
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics: Donovan Bailey (CAN) won by 0.05 seconds over Frankie Fredericks (NAM)
- 2004 Athens Olympics: Justin Gatlin (USA) beat Francis Obikwelu (POR) by 0.01 seconds
- 2024 Paris Olympics: Noah Lyles (USA) defeated Kishane Thompson (JAM) by 0.005 seconds
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Related
What are some of the closest finishes in Olympic history
How often do photo finishes occur in major track and field events
What technology is used to determine winners in close finishes
Are there any other athletes who have won titles in similarly tight races
How do athletes typically react to such close finishes
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