Paris Olympics: Tokyo 2020 Defeat A Turning Point For Champion Sprinter Lyles

 PARIS, Aug 5 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- After clinching the Olympic men's 100m title on Sunday, American sprinter Noah Lyles shared insights into how his disappointing performance at Tokyo 2020 motivated him, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lyles, who secured a remarkable treble in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at the 2023 World Championships, faced a setback three years ago when he finished third in the men's 200m in Tokyo.

"From that moment, I resolved never to repeat that experience. I committed to handling things correctly and practising diligently over the years. It has all led to this point. You only need one victory, and as long as it’s the last one, that’s all that matters," he said.

This gold medal makes Lyles the first American, male or female, to win the event since Justin Gatlin's triumph in 2004.

Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, who had appeared slightly ahead of Lyles at the halfway mark, finished a mere 0.005 seconds behind to claim the silver.

"It's been a rollercoaster with ups and downs. I usually come out blazing in all my rounds, especially in the 200m. But this is my first time competing in the 100m on the Olympic stage," Lyles noted.

Thompson expressed his mixed feelings, saying, "I am super grateful to have finished injury-free. Given my past issues with injuries, I am a bit disappointed but also happy. I will take it as it is and move forward from here."

Reflecting on his performance, Thompson added, "I wasn't patient enough with myself to let my speed bring me to the finish line in the position I knew I could achieve, but I have learnt from it."

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA