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Noah Lyles wins gold in 100m final: Social reactions to track star's latest Olympic medal

austin curtright, usa today network
·3-min read

U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles solidified his spot as the fastest man in the world on Sunday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Lyles won the United States' first Olympic gold medal in the men's 100-meter since Justin Gatlin at the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning in photo-finish fashion with a run of 9.79 seconds. He was neck-and-neck with Jamaica's Kishane Thompson, who also ran a 9.79. The U.S. also claimed the bronze medal, as Fred Kerley finished third with a 9.81-second run.

Lyles and Thompson both awaited the official ruling in the first moments after the race, as neither sprinter knew who won until official review confirmed Lyles won by a slight fraction. Lyles had a slow start in the sprint, battling from the back of the order to claim the gold medal by five thousandths of a second (winning with a time of 9.784 over Thompson's 9.789).

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With the performance, Lyles earned his second-ever medal and first gold at the Olympics. The 27-year-old won the 100- and 200-meter sprint gold medals at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

Lyles is widely regarded as one of the world's best sprinters and received a large ovation when he stepped onto the track for the event on Sunday. He told USA TODAY Sports before the Games that he aimed to win multiple gold medals in Paris, and still has chances to win the 200-meter sprint and relay sprint.

REQUIRED READING: Men's 100m final results: Noah Lyles wins gold in photo finish at 2024 Paris Olympics

Here's how social media reacted to Lyles' performance:

Noah Lyles wins 100-meter sprint: Social media reacts

REQUIRED READING: Olympic track live updates: Noah Lyles becomes World's Fastest Man with 100 meters gold

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Noah Lyles wins gold in 100m final: Social reactions to Olympic finish