Noah Lyles rides career roller coaster to Olympic 100-meter gold

PARIS -- Noah Lyles rode through all the highs and lows before reaching the pinnacle of his sport on Sunday, rebounding from career frustrations to win the men's 100 meters final in a classic at the Paris Olympics.

The three-time world champion at 200 meters failed even to qualify for the shorter sprint at the U.S. Olympic trials three years ago, and rebuilt himself with the singular goal of becoming the fastest man on earth.

On Sunday, he clinched the top of the podium by just five thousands of a second in 9.79, winning in a photo finish over Jamaica's Kishane Thompson, in a finale where a 9.91 from Jamaican rival Oblique Seville was only good enough for last place.

American Fred Kerley, the silver medalist three years ago in Tokyo, took bronze this time with a time of 9.81 seconds.

But this race belonged to Lyles.

"It's been a roller coaster, ups and downs," Lyles said. "I'm usually a guy who likes to come out blazing in all my rounds, especially in the 200. But the 100, it's my first time here on the Olympic stage."

Lyles is the first American sprinter to win the 100-meter gold medal since Justin Gatlin in 2004 as Athens.

A superstar long before he set foot on the track at the Stade de France, all eyes were on the charismatic showman of the sport who starred in the popular Netflix series "SPRINT" and completed an elusive world championship double in Budapest.

He hopes that compelling storylines can catapult his sport into the limelight in the United States, where U.S. fans are hard to draw to the track outside of the Olympics.

"I've always looked at my sport like we can do more. I want more from not only our federations but also our athletes," Lyles said. "Of course, everybody within their comfort zones. But I want to see this great sport of ours and what we have to show -- the dominance, the storylines."

Lyles will compete next in the 200 in his quest for the rare Olympic sprint double, with the opening rounds set for Monday.

Italy's Lamont Jacobs was fifth in 9.85 seconds. He won the gold in Tokyo.

American Kenny Bednarek placed seventh in 9.88.

--Reuters, Special to Field Level Media