Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson - Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 9 - Source: Getty

"I'm going to have to swallow my pride"- Noah Lyles opens up on moments before the 100m final results were displayed at the Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 05, 2024 05:45 GMT

Noah Lyles spoke about the moments of confusion right after the finals of the men's 100m at the Paris Olympics. The American athlete had a very close photo finish with the Kishane Thompson of Jamaica and the two of them had to wait for a couple of seconds for the name of the winner to be displayed on the large screen.

The men's 100m final was one of the most anticipated races of the track and field leg of the Paris Olympics. The photo finish of the race added to the nerves as the world was awaiting a new champion in the marquee event. As Noah Lyles' name was announced as the winner the American athlete bounced up in joy displaying his chest number to the world marking his first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Noah Lyles won the gold medal with a time of 9.79(.784)s and Kishane Thompson finished second after clocking 9.79(.789)s. The official gap between the two athletes was 0.005s and Lyles got the edge by dipping in the final moments of the race.

He spoke about the photo finish and the moment of anticipation as the two athletes were awaiting the results on the large screen.

" It was a crazy moment because I did think that Kisane had that and I was like man, I'm going to have to swallow my pride which I don't have a problem doing. Respect deserves respect. Everybody on the field to be honest came out on the field knowing that they could win this race and that is the mindset we have to have," he said. (8:35)

"Iron sharpen iron of course, I didn't do this against a slow crowd, I did this against the best of the best on the biggest stage with the biggest pressure," he added.

What is next for Noah Lyles after winning his first Olympic gold medal in Paris?

Noah Lyles at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 - Men's 100m Final - Source: Getty

After a blistering performance in the men's 100m finals, Noah Lyles will be competing in the men's 200m round 1 scheduled on August 5, 2024, at 1:55 pm ET. The American athlete will be running in heat 6, aiming to gain automatic qualification for the semi-finals.

Reigning 200m Olympic Champion Andre De Grasse will be running alongside Lyles in heat 6. Other than the 200m, Lyles is expected to compete in the men's 4x100m relay which is scheduled on August 8.

Team USA is yet to release an official list of the competing athletes in the men's 4x100m relay.