2024 was a dreamlike season for Noah Lyles. He secured his career-first Olympic gold medal fashionably in the men’s 100m at the Stade de France, making him one of those athletes who performed the way everyone expected them to. However, the road to the Olympic Games wasn’t easy, and with Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, it was a close race in the 100m finals.

But still, Lyles managed to defeat his Jamaican rival by 0.005 seconds. Not only for Thompson but also for Jamaica, this was a moment to remember, as many had mixed feelings after the event. However, the impact of his loss to Lyles remains evident, as settling for silver resulted in him losing one title in Jamaica itself.

Settling for second place once again

Any athlete can find accolades not only in their sports but also in their award shows. Two renowned track and field stars of the nation recently received the 2024 RJRGleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year award at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Lana Archer on X reported that Roje Stona won the Sportsman of the Year award for his impressive performance throughout the 2024 season, particularly at the Paris Olympics, with Kishane Thompson coming in second.

But didn’t Thompson also bring an Olympic medal to his country? Yes, he did, but it was a silver medal, as he lost to Noah Lyles by just 0.005 seconds. And what about Stona? The 25-year-old had a brilliant season, and at the Paris Olympics in the discus throw finals, he secured a lifetime-best throw of 70m to win Jamaica’s first gold medal in the event. That wasn’t all for Stona, as his Olympic performance earned him the People’s Choice Award.

Indeed, a silver medal pales in comparison to an Olympic gold medal. And the Jamaican people crave for their athletes to secure that gleaming gold in such championship rounds. Thompson did do everything that he could, but Lyles’ strategy was just way further than he could’ve anticipated. However, the pressure heading into the 100m finals wasn’t easy for the American runner either, as he recently opened up about the comparisons with his Jamaican rival made by the community.

Noah Lyles recalled the pressure that he went through

Speaking on the Beyond the Records Podcast on YouTube, Noah Lyles revealed how unexpected the results were of the 100m finals in Paris. Indeed, the official results confirmed that he and Kishane Thompson were just 0.005 seconds apart at the finish line. To date, Lyles is grateful for the lean he performed, which propelled his torso forward and gave him an advantage over his Jamaican rival.

Focusing on the data, the American sprinter disclosed that he finished last in the first 50 meters of the race. This also made him point out the comparisons he has been pressured through by the community, stating, “So many people are like, ‘Oh, you know he’s not a great starter; he’s not going to be able to win like Kishane is just that much better,’ and yada yada yada. It’s like, ‘Guys, y’all don’t know what it’s like to be at the biggest stage for the main event.’”

Lyles is an athlete who is open to criticism, but sometimes it just becomes overwhelming for him. Indeed, Thompson’s unexpected rise to prominence in the 2024 season came immediately after the Jamaican Olympic Trials. So comparisons were made by the community before the Olympic Games, and it made the American runner. He understands that the stakes are high at an event like this, and he doesn’t want such comments to affect his mentality.