Who is the fastest man in the world? By a hair, Noah Lyles.
Lyles found himself on the winning end of a photo finish at the men's 100-meter final on Sunday, getting the gold medal he always believed he would win. Lyles edged out Jamaica's Kishane Thompson by a matter of thousandths of a second, running a 9.79 and earning the USA's first gold in the event since 2004.
Lyles said after an underwhelming first-round race that he underestimated the competition and would never do that again. He still couldn't pull ahead, however, in Sunday's semifinals. Lyles finished just behind Oblique Seville, staring down the Jamaican sprinter as the two crossed the finish line.
MORE MEN'S 100M FINAL:
Photo finish explainer | Lyles' mom's reaction | Last US man to win 100m gold | Best photos
When the lights shined the brightest, Lyles finished first and Seville finished last. Seville's Jamaican teammate, Thompson, believed he was the winner when he crossed the finish line, but there would be no enthusiastic celebration until a photo finish confirmed the result. When confirmation came back, it was Lyles who celebrated and shared an emotional moment with his mother.
With lines pic.twitter.com/MmBTxezbno
— Stuart Wexler (@jomolungma) August 4, 2024
8 frames, 1 iconic 100m final 🖼️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/0Q6ItW3e4j
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 4, 2024
Lyles is favored to win the men's 200-meter later in the week, but he insisted that he was the fastest man in the world going into the 100-meter and backed up his talk in Paris. Lyles is now the "officially" the fastest man in the world until someone takes that title from him.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and results from the men's 100-meter final at the 2024 Olympics on Sunday. Check out the full results and race video below.
MORE: Watch Olympic track and field events with Fubo (free trial)
Men's Olympic 100-meter final results
| Place | Runner | Country | Time |
| 1 | Noah Lyles | United States | 9.79 |
| 2 | Kishane Thompson | Jamaica | 9.79 |
| 3 | Fred Kerley | United States | 9.81 |
| 4 | Akani Simbine | South Africa | 9.82 |
| 5 | Marcell Jacobs | Italy | 9.85 |
| 6 | Letsile Tebogo | Botswana | 9.86 |
| 7 | Kenneth Bednarek | United States | 9.88 |
| 8 | Oblique Seville | Jamaica | 9.91 |
USA Olympic track and field live updates, highlights from men's 100-meter dash
(All times Eastern)
3:59 p.m. — The broadcast initially believed Thompson won, but no one celebrated until the result of the photo finish was determined. Lyles delivers the first USA gold in the men's 100-meter since 2004.
This is the definition of a photo finish 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Vq3GEAH8Wb
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 4, 2024
3:55 p.m. — NOAH LYLES WINS THE 100-METER! Kishane Thompson thought he had it, but a photo finish determines Lyles is the fastest man alive! What a race.
NOAH LYLES’ OLYMPIC DREAM COMES TRUE!
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
100M GOLD MEDALIST. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/qR6bkXLHhE
3:51 p.m. — They're about ready to go in Paris. A career-defining moment is coming for someone.
3:49 p.m. — If you thought Noah Lyles would be dismayed by his second-place finish in the semifinals, you would be wrong. He came out fired up, trying to energize the crowd.
3:47 p.m. — They have turned down the lights at Stade de France and are starting introductions. The energy is high.
3:15 p.m. — Some have taken note of Lyles staring down Oblique Seville at the end of their semifinal heat. Let's see if he can back it up in the final.
Lyles with the demon stare down.
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) August 4, 2024
See you at 3:50 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Ivrtp6Gfdk
2:30 p.m. — The 100-meter final is set for 3:50 p.m. ET, about 80 minutes from now.
2:26 p.m. — Kishane Thompson looks mighty comfortable. He runs a 9.80, qualifying easily for the final, and USA's Fred Kerley qualifies as well. Marcell Jacobs and Kenneth Bednarek also officially qualify. Andre De Grasse is out. Here is the field of eight:
- Kishane Thompson (Jamaica)
- Oblique Seville (Jamaica)
- Noah Lyles (United States)
- Fred Kerley (United States)
- Akani Simbine (South Africa)
- Letsile Tebogo (Botswana)
- Marcell Jacobs (Italy)
- Kenneth Bednarek (United States)
2:18 p.m. — South Africa's Akani Simbine wins his semifinal heat with a time of 9.87. Also qualifying is Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (9.91). 2020 gold medalist Marcell Jacobs (9.92) and USA's Kenneth Bednarek (9.93) will have to wait and see, with Jacobs in strong position to advance.
2:07 p.m. — Seville (9.81) wins the first heat, with Lyles (9.83) narrowly coming in second! Seville really got a burst of speed right at the end to separate himself. Both are qualified for the final.
Battle to the line between Noah Lyles and Oblique Seville! 😲 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/ylIy9HNktV
2:06 p.m. — Lyles is in the first heat along with Oblique Seville, while Kishane Thompson and Andre De Grasse are in the third heat.
2:05 p.m. — The 100-meter men's semifinals are about to get started. Noah Lyles is gesturing in front of the camera, trying to get himself fired up before his heat.
How to watch Olympic men's 100-meter dash final
- Start time: 3:50 p.m.
- Channel: USA Network
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
The men's 100m final will finish off the night at Stade de France in Paris, getting underway at 3:50 p.m. ET (9:50 p.m. local time). The race will last close to 10 seconds.
NBC's USA Network will broadcast coverage of the race, with live streaming available on Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try before you buy.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
Full Olympics schedule | How to watch in USA | Meet NBC's broadcasters
Olympic track and field schedule today
Sunday, Aug. 4
| Time (ET) | Event | Gender | Round | TV/live stream |
| 4:05 a.m. | 3000m Steeplechase | Women's | Round 1 | Peacock, Fubo |
| 4:20 a.m. | Hammer Throw | Women's | Round 1 | Peacock, Fubo |
| 4:55 a.m. | 200m | Women's | Round 1 | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 5 a.m. | Long Jump | Men's | Round 1 | Peacock, Fubo |
| 5:50 a.m. | 110m Hurdles | Men's | Round 1 | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 6:35 a.m. | 400m Hurdles | Women's | Round 1 | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 1:05 p.m. | 400m | Men's | Round 1 | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 1:50 p.m. | High Jump | Women's | Final | Peacock, Fubo |
| 2 p.m. | 100m | Men's | Semifinal | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 2:30 p.m. | Hammer Throw | Men's | Final | Peacock, Fubo |
| 2:35 p.m. | 800m | Women's | Semifinal | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 3:10 p.m. | 1500m | Men's | Semifinal | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
| 3:50 p.m. | 100m | Men's | Final | USA Network, Peacock, Fubo |
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