A five thousandths of a second separated USA’s Lyles and Kishane Thompson of Jamaica as both clocked 9.79 seconds in the first such wind-legal 100m race in history that saw all eight runners finishing under 10 seconds.
The bronze went to Lyles’s American teammate Fred Kerly (9.81).
The post that appeared on the timeline of Lyles’s official account ‘X’ account after the race made as much news as the dramatic finish to USA’s first men’s 100m triumph at the Olympics since Justin Gatlin’s Athens 2004 gold.
The admiration for the world champion and Olympic gold medallist in 100m grew even more after his post revealed that he overcame multiple physical and mental ailments to become the fastest man on earth.
(AFP Photo)
“I have asthma, allergies, dyslexia, ADD (attention deficit disorder), anxiety, and depression,” Nyles said in the post. “But I will tell you that what you have does not define what you can become. Why Not You!”
The revelation turned Lyles’s achievement even more monumental, inspiring millions around the world.
His campaign at the Paris Games is not finished yet, as he has a chance to win more medals in his favourite 200m event and the 4x100m relay.