American sprinter Noah Lyles, who dreams of winning Olympic gold in Paris, rarely stays out of the spotlight. After all, he’s the star of the most high-profile event in track and field—the men’s 100 meters. Yet, before Sunday’s Olympic final, Lyles is realistic enough to admit that this race no longer holds the same allure as it once did.
The 100 meters isn’t even the premier event in the sport anymore. Even Lyles, who was crowned champion in both the 100 and 200 meters at last year’s World Championships, acknowledged a few weeks ago in London that he faced a tough loss.
“I believe the 400-meter hurdles, for both men and women, are really stepping into the limelight,” Lyles remarked.
The men’s 100 meters has faded from its historic grandeur. Past winners include some of the most illustrious names in Olympic track history: Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Bob Hayes, and Usain Bolt.
Former winners like Ben Johnson, stripped of his gold medal in 1988, and Justin Gatlin, whose 2004 win was later tainted by a doping suspension, are forever associated with scandal.
Still, the 100 meters has long been a marquee event. The last time it was held in Paris, it not only earned Harold Abrahams a gold medal but also won four Academy Awards for the film “Chariots of Fire” based on his victory.
It was inevitable that the event would feel a void after Bolt’s retirement in 2017. Bolt, the most celebrated runner in history, won the 100 meters (and 200 meters) in three consecutive Olympics from 2008 to 2016. His 9.58-second world record from 2009 still stands. (He also holds the 200 meters world record.)
Bolt’s charisma matched his talent, creating a magnetic energy whenever he stepped on the track. Watching him was a must-see event, his popularity extending far beyond the relatively niche world of track and field.
NBC analyst and four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon said in a phone interview, “He was a once-in-a-generation star. So no, there’s not that ‘Oh my gosh, you have to see this guy before he retires’ energy now.”
In Bolt’s absence, other events have emerged as main attractions. In the men’s 1,500 meters, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Britain’s Josh Kerr are captivating their own drama, indifferent to each other, creating intriguing theater.
Consider the 400-meter hurdles as well. On the men’s side, the USA’s Rai Benjamin, Norway’s Karsten Warholm, and Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos have collectively run the 17 fastest times in history. On the women’s side, the USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and the Netherlands’ Femke Bol are elevating the event to new heights. McLaughlin-Levrone, who is prominently featured in Paris, holds the world record, while Bol is the world champion.
No list of premier track and field events in Paris would be complete without mentioning the women’s 100 meters, where American star Sha’Carri Richardson might challenge Jamaica’s Olympic dominance. The final is on Saturday, with Lyles and the men racing on Sunday.
“Looking at Sha’Carri’s current success, I’m genuinely amazed,” Boldon remarked. “Imagine if she secures the first-ever U.S. victory. Olympic gold in the 100 meters since 1996 and then rides that momentum through four years of intense anticipation leading up to the 2028 games in Los Angeles!”
The men’s and women’s 100 meters were the focal points of the first season of Netflix’s behind-the-scenes documentary “Sprint,” which delved into the lives of several sprinters during last year’s World Championships in Budapest. Richardson and Lyles were featured prominently. The creators didn’t choose the 100 meters arbitrarily; they were drawn to its mystery and accessibility.
World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon remarked, “There’s something universally appealing about being recognized as the fastest man or woman on the planet.” It’s very appealing. But we have many great sports, and wouldn’t it be nice to feature some other events too?”
In Paris, Lyles appears determined to keep some spotlight on himself. True to form, when asked last month in London about competing for Olympic gold against Kishane Thompson and his Jamaican teammates, Lyles dramatically downplayed the challenge. (Thompson has recorded the fastest 100 meters of the year.)
“I beat everyone I compete against,” Lyles said, evoking a sense of rivalry that might well be utilized in his event. “I don’t think they’re any different.”
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