Noah Lyles won the gold medal in the 100m final at the Paris Olympics, narrowly defeating Kishane Thompson in a thrilling race. Lyles described it as the one he wanted, noting the hard battle and the amazing opponents, including Thompson. The race was incredibly close, with both Lyles and Thompson clocking 9.79 seconds. Lyles won by just five thousandths of a second, a finish that had the crowd holding their breath. Lyles himself wasn’t sure if he had managed to pull off the win, thinking it might have been too late to catch Thompson. However, the giant screen confirmed him as the winner. If the race had been a meter shorter, Thompson might have claimed Jamaica’s fourth 100m Olympic title in five Games, but Lyles’ perfectly timed dip gave him the victory, adding Olympic gold to his world title.
This close race left many wondering what’s next for Thompson. Despite his impressive debut, having only raced five times in the 100m this year, Thompson dealt with injury rumors and missed several key competitions. Speculation arose around how much further Thompson could have gone if he had more opportunities to compete. At just 23 years old, Thompson secured a silver medal in his first major championship, an accomplishment that will likely boost his confidence heading into the 2025 World Championships.
A recent podcast, “Ready Set Go,” featuring hosts Rodney Green and Justin Gatlin, discussed the pressures faced by today’s sprinting stars, particularly focusing on Thompson’s potential. Green mentioned that although Thompson ended the previous season with a time of 9.85, he didn’t race as much this year due to injuries. He also speculated that Thompson could have run even faster if he had more opportunities.
Thompson’s career, however, has been hampered by injuries, limiting his participation in major competitions since he began racing professionally in 2019. In 2022, he missed the World Championships and had to end his season early. Last year, he had hopes for the Budapest Championships but fell short after a promising start. Nevertheless, 2024 marked a comeback for Thompson. He delivered solid performances at three Diamond League Meetings and won the Jamaican Olympic trials with a world-leading time of 9.77 seconds. His season culminated in his silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
With the track season over, Thompson now has time to rest and recover. Many are optimistic about his return next year, provided he can stay healthy and regain his form. If he does, the rising star from the Caribbean may have much more to show on the word stage.
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