The race took less than 10 seconds. The official results took three times longer but the agonizing delay was worth the wait as Alexandria’s Noah Lyles took home the gold in the men’s 100-meter final Aug. 4 at the Paris Olympics.

Despite being slow out of the blocks, Lyles came from behind to claim victory, putting the USA atop the global sprinting stage for the first time in 20 years. Lyles finished just 0.005 seconds ahead of Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in a race that required video replay.

The crowd reacts to the announcement that USA’s Noah Lyles won the men’s 100-meter at the Paris Olympics during a watch party Aug. 4 at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray.  

 

“This is just the most amazing thing in the world,” said Lyles’ uncle Rahsaan Caine, who watched the race at a viewing party at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray. “He really is an inspiration, not just to Alexandria but to the world.”

Lyles’ official time was 9.784 seconds with Thompson coming in at 9.789. Fellow American Fred Kerly took bronze in 9.81. It was actually Kerly that had the first body part to cross the finish line – the orange shoe on his right foot. But track competition rules state that “Competitors shall be placed at the finish line in the order in which any part of their bodies (i.e., the ‘torso,’ as distinguished from the head, neck, arms, hands, legs, or feet) reaches the finish line.”

Omega, the official provider of photo finish images, shared the image of Lyles extending his body forward, with his torso — namely, his shoulder and clavicle — crossing the line before anyone else.

Lyles, 27, grew up in Alexandria and along with his brother Josephus starred in track and field during their years at T.C. Williams High School. Together the two shared Outstanding Track Athlete of the Year honors at the 2016 Alexandria Sportsman’s Club annual awards gala. Lyles had previously received the award in both 2014 and 2015.

“One of the great things about the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club is to honor our student athletes when they are in the formidable high school years, when they dream of achieving greatness,” said ASC president Ryan Fannon. “To actually watch this come to fruition brings us and everyone in Alexandria incredible pride and joy. We can’t wait until Noah comes back so we can all celebrate as an Alexandria community.”

It was 12 years ago when Lyles watched Jamaican icon Usain Bolt win gold in both the 100 and 200 meters at the London Olympics. He decided then, in the living room of his Alexandria home, that he wanted to do the same.

“Noah grew up with asthma and now he is the fastest man in the world,” Caine said. “It shows the power of the mind and that you can achieve anything.”

Lyles, who has been open about his struggles with mental health, posted on social media following his victory, “I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, and depression. But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”

Following his gold medal 100m run, Lyles is one step closer to achieving that dream. He has qualified for the 200m final, a race where he is a three-time gold medalist at the 2019, 2022 and 2023 World Championships. He is seeking his first Olympic gold in the 200 after winning bronze in the event at the Tokyo Games.

The 200m final will take place Aug. 8 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

As the confident Lyles proclaimed to the cameras after securing his place in history, “America, I told you. I got this.”