Paris Olympics 2024: Asafa Powell reveals what cost Kishane Thompson a win in men's 100m final

Paris Olympics 2024: Asafa Powell reveals what cost Kishane Thompson a win in men's 100m final

Abigael Wafula 13:00 - 07.08.2024

Asafa Powell has insisted that Kishane Thompson would have triumphed over Noah Lyles in the men's 100m final at the Paris Olympics, citing what made it difficult for the Jamaican youngster to win.

Asafa Powell has disclosed what might have cost Jamaican youngster Kishane Thompson a gold medal in the men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympics.

The two-time world champion gave Thompson his flowers, noting that he was ready for the challenge and maybe, playing the music for long before the athletes took to the blocks shifted his focus.

Powell insisted that if the circumstances were different and the athletes would start the race immediately they took the stage, there would be a new Olympic champion in Thompson.

The race was won by Noah Lyles who clocked a stunning 9.79 ahead of Thompson who clocked 9.79, with the time difference being milliseconds. Fred Kerley sealed the podium, clocking 9.81 to cross the finish line.

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“I believe that if the circumstances were different and if they didn’t play the music so long, because I think when he got out there he was ready but when they played the music for long and he kind of sat back a bit and I guess his energy kind of went down,” Powell said.

“If the music was not playing too much I think he would have been a lot more ready and alert to get out of the starting blocks. That’s just my point of view, he could have won the gold medal and he could have gone below 9.77 for sure,” he added.

The former Olympic champion added that Jamaicans should be proud of Thompson’s efforts that earned him a silver medal in his first global championship.

Powell added that the youngster will certainly be the one to watch in coming years and he has already proven to be a threat.

“Jamaica and everybody need to be proud of this man because this is his first championships ever and he came out there and got a medal and we have to be proud of him,” Powell said.

“Maybe another time, this was his first time for sure so he is very young and has a lot more to accomplish and we just have to look out for him.”