PARIS, France — In the tightest of finishes, Kishane Thompson narrowly missed out on the men’s 100m gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday night.
The rising star sprinter, just moments after giving his all, reflected on what he believed cost him the coveted title: a lack of relaxation and patience.
“I should have been more relaxed and patient with myself,” Thompson acknowledged in his post-race interview in the mixed zone. “I wasn’t patient enough with my speed and myself, to let my speed bring me to the line in the position that I know I could have gone, but I have learnt from it.”
Fastest man this season
Thompson, who had entered the race as the fastest man this season with a 9.77-second run at the Jamaican Trials, finished in 9.79 seconds—identical to American Noah Lyles. However, the photo-finish camera awarded the gold to Lyles by a mere five-thousandths of a second.
Reflecting on his feelings, Thompson expressed a mix of disappointment and gratitude. “I’m a bit disappointed but I’m super grateful and happy at the same time, and I just got to take it as what it is and move forward from here,” he said, demonstrating a level-headedness that bodes well for his future.
The race was a showcase of exceptional talent, with Fred Kerley securing third place with a season-best 9.81 seconds, and South Africa’s Akane Simbine setting a national record with 9.82 seconds to finish fourth. Defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy came in fifth with a season-best 9.85 seconds, followed by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo in sixth with a national record of 9.86 seconds. American Kenneth Bednarek finished seventh in 9.88 seconds, while Jamaica’s Oblique Seville ended eighth in 9.91 seconds, the fastest-ever last-place time in an Olympic 100m final.
Tense moments immediately after crossing the finish line
Thompson, the 23-year-old Jamaican National Champion, recalled the tense moments immediately after crossing the finish line, as he awaited the official result. “I couldn’t see him (Lyles), but I thought he was seeing me, and he said ‘hey Kishane I think you got it,’ but I wasn’t sure because I couldn’t see him to my far right,” he recounted.
Despite the narrow loss, Kishane Thompson takes pride in his achievement, becoming the first Jamaican to win a medal in the Olympic 100m since the legendary Usain Bolt. “I’m feeling super good,” he said, referring to his latest accomplishment. “Honestly, probably my body language doesn’t show it, because I’m not really an expressive guy, but I’m super grateful and glad. I know that Jamaica would have wanted me to get the gold, everybody loves winners and I would have loved to win today, but big up to the whole field of competitors.”
Even in the face of such a close defeat, Thompson remains firm in his belief that medals should not be shared, adhering to the competitive nature of the sport. “Honestly I think the sport is too competitive, no offense to any other sport, but I think it’s too competitive for us to share a gold medal. One love man, love all the time, respect and big up Mitchell Town,” he concluded.
