In a race filled with tension and high stakes, Lyles experienced a slow start and was in seventh place midway through. However, he surged in the final strides, overtaking competitors like Fred Kerley and Akani Simbine. Lyles crossed the finish line with a time of 9.79 seconds, securing the gold medal.
Controversy and Confusion:
Despite the official results declaring Lyles as the winner, there was widespread confusion among fans and observers. A photograph circulating on social media suggested that Kishane Thompson, one of Lyles’ main competitors, had crossed the finish line first. This led to questions and debates about the accuracy of the results.
The discrepancy arose from the rule that the winner is determined by the torso’s position rather than the feet. Lyles’ lean towards the finish line made the crucial difference, as explained by fans and officials. This clarification helped address some of the confusion, although many still expressed their doubts about the fairness of the decision.