Noah Lyles delivered a thrilling performance in the men’s 100m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but his remarkable feat fell just short of Usain Bolt’s legendary world record.

Lyles clinched gold with a world-leading time of 9.79 seconds, marking America’s first Olympic gold in the men’s 100m in two decades. Despite this impressive achievement, Lyles’ time was 0.21 seconds slower than Bolt’s unbroken world record of 9.58 seconds, set 15 years ago.

The final was a dramatic showdown, culminating in a photo finish between Lyles and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, both clocking 9.79 seconds. Lyles secured victory by a narrow margin of 0.005 seconds, thanks to a quicker reaction time at the start.

READ MORE: Noah Lyles wins Olympic 100m Gold in thrilling photo finish

Fred Kerley of the USA completed the podium with a bronze medal, recording a time of 9.81 seconds.

WATCH VIDEO: Usain Bolt’s ‘unmatched’ record-setting Men’s 100m race at the Olympics

This result points to the enduring nature of Bolt’s achievement. Despite advances in training, nutrition, and technology, Bolt’s record has stood resilient against the world’s elite sprinters. The Jamaican’s dominance in the 100m and 200m events during his career remains unmatched.

Lyles’ triumph, while historic in its own right, serves as a testament to Bolt’s extraordinary legacy. It highlights the colossal performance level required to surpass the Jamaican’s record, which continues to set the gold standard in sprinting.