No More Photo Finish: Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson Leaves Noah Lyles Eating His Words
For months, track fans have debated who really is the fastest man alive. Paris 2024 gave us a “photo finish” that handed Noah Lyles Olympic gold by a mere five-thousandths of a second. Many Jamaicans cried foul, branding it “Olympic robbery” – bureaucracy, technology, and slow-motion pixels deciding glory instead of raw speed.
But in Silesia this weekend, there was no pixel, no panel, no argument. Just a gun, a blistering start, and a Jamaican storming across the line first. Kishane Thompson silenced the noise, clocking 9.87 seconds, tying the meet record and putting Noah Lyles firmly in second place with 9.90. The American sprinter Kenny Bednarek finished third in 9.96 seconds.
A Rivalry That’s Getting Personal
This was not just another Diamond League meet. It was redemption. The Paris 2024 final still stings for Jamaica – an Olympic heartbreak many felt was stolen by technology, not talent. Now, Thompson has the receipts. He didn’t just win; he beat Lyles head-to-head in a clean, undeniable race.
American fans will argue Lyles is still the Olympic champion. But for Jamaicans, Silesia is proof: the “paper champ” got exposed. On raw speed and execution, Kishane Thompson is the man to beat.
Lyles Closes Late, But Too Late
To his credit, Lyles did what Lyles always does – closed strong. But his sloppy start left him chasing shadows. Kenny Bednarek (9.96) and Christian Coleman (9.96) rounded out the top four, but they were never really in the fight. The track belonged to Thompson.
Thompson: Calm, But Cutting
Afterwards, Thompson played it cool, saying:
“My race was not so good, not so bad. It’s all about execution… Paris was a big learning factor. I learned it is me against myself.”
Translation? “I beat Lyles even on an off day.”
Lyles Talks Confidence, But Who’s Shaken?
Lyles tried to spin the defeat as a positive:
“It’s a great stepping stone… I’m getting the confidence… it makes me excited for next week and Tokyo.”
But the truth? Confidence comes from winning, not losing. And right now, it’s Thompson who has the psychological edge heading into Lausanne on August 20.
The Real Fastest Man Alive
The Olympics may have crowned Noah Lyles, but track is about moments that can’t be argued away. In Silesia, Kishane Thompson gave us just that – no controversy, no excuses.
The world better get used to saying it: The fastest man alive wears green, gold, and black.