Video: Men’s 100 Clash of Titans Underway & Noah Lyles Gets Beat in Round 1
By Weldon Johnson
The men’s 100m is underway at the Paris Olympics.
All the favorites advanced to Saturday’s semifinals, but the biggest news of the day was Noah Lyles finishing second in his heat in 10.04 to NCAA 100m champion Louie Hinchliffe of Great Britain and the University of Houston where Hinchliffe is coached by 1984/1988 Olympic 100m champion Carl Lewis. Hinchliffe ran 9.98.
You can watch Noah’s race below (Need a VPN to watch? click here for the one we use).
Louie Hinchliffe and Noah Lyles fight to the line in a thrilling 100m heat! #ParisOlympics
📺 NBC, E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/FhJjmyrKnk
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
Lyles wearing hat and mask to not get recognized
Noah Lyles glances to his left in 100m round 1 of Olympics (Kevin Morris photo)
Afterwards Noah said “These boys [showed] that they coming to play. I guess that’s my first lesson in underestimating the power of Olympics. When somebody’s on the line, they say they’re gonna give it their all. Now I don’t have to hold back,” Noah said in the mixed zone after. “Now that I know that everybody’s ready to go it’s like okay, you guys are gonna blow your loads, I’m ready to go.”
Lyles said competing at this Olympics is completely different than in 2021 where not only there were no fans, but he was relatively unknown. “I’m coming in and everybody knows my name and it’s come with its own challenges. It has been very hard to move throughout the [Olympic] Village. I’ve had to constantly go out with the hat, glasses, and mask and still, you know, 20% of everybody still knows me regardless, but it’s been a different set of challenges,” he said.
Lyles said he has contemplated leaving the Olympic Village, but getting treatment and transportation is much easier for athletes in the village.
Kerley and Bednarek have fastest times of day
Lyles’ American teammates Fred Kerley and Kenny Bednarek both won their heats in 9.97 seconds, which were the fastest times on the day.
Kerley video:
Defending Olympic silver medalist Fred Kerley pulls away late to cruise into the 100m semis. #ParisOlympics
📺 E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/2cY9CXb7uC
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
Showing there are two ways to skin a cat, Kerley did not stop in the mixed zone, while Lyles told the media handlers he could talk for longer than they wanted him too.
Bednarek video:
Kung Fu Kenny came out BLAZING to win his 100m heat with ease. 😤 #ParisOlympics
📺 E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/zbZ5Bd0s0b
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
Bednarek said, “I felt pretty good. Felt easy. I was just getting the jitters out…I came out with a bang. I’m happy with my performance. I know I have a lot more left in the tank…I’m try to be the fastest man in the word.”
When asked if he had a better shot in the 100 or 200 he said, “Both.”
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson cruised in his first international senior competition, running 10.00 and letting up the gas way early. He then dapped the Jamaican media in the mixed zone but did not stop.
Kishane Thompson started JOGGING to finish his 100m heat! 😲 #ParisOlympics
📺 NBC, E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/LvbrpyKkRw
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
In other notable action, Marcell Jacobs was 2nd in his heat.
Reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs finishes second in his 100m heat in between collegiate sprinters Kayinsola Ajayi and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu. #ParisOlympics
📺 NBC, E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/Ct9Z6ikfX9
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
The action heats up on Sunday with the semifinals and finals. The final is live on NBC at 3:50 p.m. Eastern.
