Usain Bolt's 15-year-old record remains pinnacle of human speed after Noah Lyles' thrilling photo-finish Olympic gold win

Usain Bolt's legendary 100m world record remains unbroken as Noah Lyles of the United States clinched gold in a nail-biting final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Despite Lyles' impressive performance, Bolt's mark of 9.58 seconds, set 15 years ago, continues to be the pinnacle of human speed.

Lyles crossed the finish line in a world-leading time of 9.79 seconds, securing America's first Olympic gold in the men's 100m in two decades. 

While this time represents a personal best for Lyles and the fastest of 2024, it falls short of Bolt's seemingly insurmountable record by a significant 0.21 seconds.

The final itself was one for the history books, featuring a photo finish between Lyles who has now walked his talk and Jamaica's Kishane Thompson. 

Both sprinters clocked 9.79 seconds, with Lyles edging out his rival by a mere 0.005 seconds due to a faster reaction time at the start. 

Fred Kerley of the USA rounded out the podium with a bronze medal performance of 9.81 seconds.

This outcome underscores the enduring nature of achievement by Bolt. Despite advancements in training techniques, nutrition, and technology over the past 15 years, the Jamaican speedster's record has withstood challenge after challenge from the world's elite sprinters.

Lyles' victory, while monumental in its own right, serves as a reminder of Bolt's extraordinary feat. It highlights the Jamaican's unparalleled dominance in the sport and the astronomical level of performance required to surpass his record.

As the athletics program progresses, attention now turns to the 200m event, where Lyles will have another opportunity to chase Olympic glory. 

While the Paris 2024 Olympics have delivered a new champion in the 100m, they have also reaffirmed the legendary status of Usain Bolt who has spoken about his legendary rivalries during his prime. 

His world record, now having stood for a decade and a half, continues to be the gold standard in sprinting, challenging future generations of athletes to push the boundaries of human speed.