Kishane Thompson reveals two key lessons picked from his defeat to Noah Lyles at Paris Olympics

Kishane Thompson reveals two key lessons picked from his defeat to Noah Lyles at Paris Olympics

Abigael Wafula 13:30 - 30.08.2024

Kishane Thompson has detailed the two crucial lessons he learnt from his defeat to Noah Lyles in the men's 100m final at the Paris Olympic Games.

Kishane Thompson has opened up about the two crucial lessons he learnt from his bitter loss to Noah Lyles in the men’s 100m at the Paris Olympic Games.

Lyles won the race in 9.79 seconds, milliseconds ahead of Thompson who clocked the same time to cross the finish line. Fred Kerley completed the podium in a time of 9.81 seconds. In an interview with Relevo, Thompson noted that he was not aware of what happened but he knew Lyles was close to him as they crossed the finish line.

He knew that the race was going to be a tough ordeal, owing to the quality of athletes that had been included in the final of the race. Being his first Olympic Games, Thompson explained that he had a lot of takeaways but only singled out two that stood out.

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"I knew it was going to be very difficult. I knew that Lyles was to my left very close, but I didn't know who had won. I have to see the defeat as a victory. It's my first Games. It's my first moment like that. I wouldn't change anything, I have to learn. I don't have to expect to win, but to do my best,” Thompson said.

"The first thing I've learned after going through a moment like that is that I have to be more patient with myself. The second thing is that I have to understand that the final part of the race is the most complicated and third, that when it's such a tight finish, I have to make myself bigger,” he added.

Thompson added that it is a journey and he still has a long way to go, since he is only 23. Ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Thompson has plans to impress and claim a gold medal.

"It's like a journey. I have lived the Olympic experience, everything that it entails and what I have experienced motivates me even more to try to get gold in my next major championship. Since I was little I always watched the Games and wanted to be part of this moment. It has been a great experience,” he said.

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