In a remarkable feat, American athlete Noah Lyles secured the coveted Olympic gold medal in the highly anticipated men’s 100-meter final.

In a remarkable display of athleticism, World Champion Noah Lyles emerged triumphant in the men’s Olympic 100-meter final held in Paris on Sunday. Lyles’s exceptional performance resulted in a time of 9.79 seconds, securing the gold medal in a thrilling and closely contested race.

The margin of victory was exceptionally narrow, with Lyles narrowly edging out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who also recorded an impressive time of 9.79 seconds. This outcome marks a significant milestone, as Lyles becomes the first American, regardless of gender, to capture the Olympic 100-meter title since Justin Gatlin’s triumph at the 2004 Athens Games.

“It’s the one I wanted,” said Lyles. “It’s the hard battle, it’s the amazing opponents.

“Everybody’s healthy, everybody came prepared for the fight and I wanted to prove that I’m the man amongst all of them. I’m the wolf amongst wolves.”

Lyles’ triumph was officially declared following a meticulous examination of the photo-finish.

The American representative mentioned the anticipation for the final outcomes, “I went up to Kishane and I was like, ‘I’m going to be honest, bro, I think you had that one’.

“And I was fully prepared to see his name pop up and to see my name pop up, I’m like goodness gracious. I’m incredible.”

Lyles' American teammate Fred Kerley secured the bronze medal in 9.81 seconds, narrowly edging out South African Akani Simbine who finished in 9.82 seconds.

In a thrilling race, defending champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 9.85 seconds, followed by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo in sixth with 9.86 seconds, American Kenny Bednarek in seventh with 9.88 seconds, and Jamaican Oblique Seville in eighth with 9.91 seconds.

Lyles, starting in lane seven, had a decent start and quickly found his rhythm. Despite facing tough competition from the entire field, he managed to maintain his lead until the finish line.

With Thompson right beside him, Lyles made a final push and was ultimately declared the gold medallist after a photo-finish.

The 69,000-capacity Stade de France was filled with excitement before the race, with a spectacular light show and music adding to the electric atmosphere as the sprinters prepared for the event.

Tense buildup

The lights were extinguished, prompting the sprinters to exit the track and re-enter like champions in a grand arena.

Each athlete was introduced individually, with their name displayed prominently above their respective flags. Thompson let out a fierce roar, his fists clenched tightly as he tilted his head back. Kerley placed a hand over his heart in a gesture of pride.

Lyles sprang forth like a kangaroo, energetically bouncing 20 meters down the track. Jacobs epitomized composure, raising both arms and strolling calmly to his starting blocks.

The moment arrived for the sprinters to take their positions at the starter's command. The anticipation felt endless. The music played on, and the crowd clapped rhythmically, seemingly urging the starter to begin. The sprinters shifted in their lanes, swaying from foot to foot, with tension hanging in the air.

The cameras captured the scene one last time, and then silence fell, broken only by the sound of a helicopter overhead. The starting gun fired, and the athletes surged forward in unison along the purple track.

The photo-finish officials scrutinized the results, and Lyles emerged victorious, claiming gold to exorcise the memories of his bronze medal in the 200 meters at the Tokyo Olympics three years prior.

When asked about his confidence in competing for a second title in the 200 meters, an event where he has triumphed three times at the world championships, Lyles expressed unwavering certainty.

“100 percent,” he said. “That’s my better event and now that I’ve got a new PR in the 100, I’m ready to take it to the 200.”