Noah Lyles is the world's fastest man. Period. 

On Sunday in one of the most thrilling 100 meter races in Olympic history, the American came on with a blistering pace over the last 10 meters to pass Jamaica's Kishane Thompson and secure the world's top prize at the Paris Olympics inside Stade de France in a time of 9.79 seconds (+1.0). 

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"To be honest, I just believed in myself," Lyles told reporters in the mixed zone afterward. "I've done worse and I've run faster 60s. Ah, dang. Dang, I'm amazing. That's crazy. That's crazy. I thought I was a little better than that. But that goes to prove that reaction times does not win races." 

For all the excess, Lyles proved his might during the biggest moment in track and field. Lyles' win marked the first time an American won the gold medal at 100 meters since 2004, ending a 20 year-drought that last saw Justin Gatlin claim the honor.

The American did not react out of the blocks with the top reaction time -- in fact, he was tied for the slowest at 0.178 with Letsile Tebogo -- but as has been the case over his illustrious season, Lyles's second-half pace was too much to bear. The 27-year-old Virginia native hit a top speed of 43.5 kilometers per hour (27 MPH) at his peak speed past the halfway point.

Noah Lyles tied for having the slowest reaction time of anyone in the field, but he still won the men's 100m final...

REACTION TIMES:
Fred Kerley 🇺🇸 - 0.108
Marcell Jacobs 🇮🇹 - 0.114
Akani Simbine 🇿🇦 - 0.149
Kenny Bednarek 🇺🇸 - 0.163
Oblique Seville 🇯🇲 - 0.171
Kishane Thompson… pic.twitter.com/mqiufabp9l

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 4, 2024

"I knew once the year started that this was not 2021," Lyles said. "I knew every step of the way it was not 2021. Winning U.S. Championships, going to Jamaica, getting beat by Oblique (Seville) and I ran (9.)85 and I'm still constantly moving forward and moving forward.

"I knew that when the time came for me to be able to say, 'This is the final. This is what I have to put together.' I was going to do it." 

Thompson owned the world's fastest mark entering the final at 9.77 seconds. The loss, however, came in a major championship.

"I just got take it at what it is and just move forward from here," Thompson said afterward.

Lyles hit his acceleration and his top speed just past 50 meters, taking on Oblique Seville to his left and then the field. 

Thompson, meanwhile, was under pressure in the final moments and stiffened up, leaving a window open for Lyles. Thompson finished in an identical 9.79 seconds.

Asked if he's ever been in a race like this before, Thompson replied, "This is my closest race." 

Lyles said afterward that he believed that Thompson had won the race. "I even said, 'Bro, I think you got that one, big dog,'" Lyles said. 

Fred Kerley, the U.S. sprinter in Lane 2, finished third overall in a season best of 9.81 seconds.

Akani Simbine, the South African star who had last faced Lyles at the Diamond League in London, was fourth in 9.82 seconds and was the quickest out of the blocks, reacting in 0.114. 

Marcell Jacobs, the reigning Olympic champion from 2021, performed well and was fifth in 9.85 while Botswana's Letsile Tebogo was sixth in 9.86. 

The American Kenny Bednarek was seventh in 9.88 and Seville -- who cruised past Lyles in the semifinals -- was last in 9.88.

The pre-race antics showcased the brilliance of the field and their personality. Thompson screamed into the belly of his soul, while Lyles sprinted past the blocks and jumped up and down, calling to the crowd. 

"I'm feeling really super grateful," Thompson said. "Honestly. I mean, my body doesn't show you guys I'm not a really expressive guy. But I'm super grateful and glad. Jamaica would have wanted me to get the gold. Everybody loves winners. I would have loved to win today."

When Are The Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

The Olympics begin on July 26 and end on August 11. The track and field events will began on Aug. 1. 

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