Noah Lyles brought home a gold medal for Team USA in his first of two events at the Olympics in Paris, the 100-meter sprint, and claimed the title of World’s Fastest Man. Jamaican wunderkind and heated rival Oblique Seville finished way behind him in dead last.
The American superstar made good on a promise to make his presence felt after a shocking loss in early June.
Although there has long been beef between Jamaica and the United States on the track, Lyles and Seville’s rivalry reached its peak at the Racers Grand Prix. Lyles finished second in the 100-meter race with a time of 9.85. Seville clocked a world-leading and personal best time of 9.82 to win.
After getting beat, America’s fastest man declared war on his opponents.
Seville turned to his right and stared Lyles down as he crossed the finish line in June. Lyles vowed to get his revenge at the Olympics.
Although they did not see each other during the opening round heats, Lyles and Seville met in the semifinal on Saturday morning. It was tense! The Jamaican phenom doubled down on his staredown and looked the American in the eyes as he crossed the line slightly in front.
Lyles immediately looked right back at him.
They also shared an unfriendly hug after advancing to the final.
And then it was time for the medal race. Noah Lyles was in lane seven. Oblique Seville was in lane six.
The gun sounded and the race was on. It was epic!
Lyles came from behind to snap a 20-year drought for the Americans in the 100-meter at the Olympics on a photo finish that couldn’t have been closer. Five one hundredths of a second was the difference.
Not only did Lyles call his shot and preemptively declare victory, he backed up his trash talk in the coolest way possible and won. You can’t write it any better!