BREAKING: Akani Simbine delivers another SA record in Paris!

An Olympic all-time classic unfolded Sunday night as the world’s fastest men lined up for the 100-meter final. In a nail-biting finale at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Akani Simbine shattered the South African record in the men’s 100 meters final, finishing fourth with an impressive time of 9.82 seconds.

The Race Recap

The men’s 100-meters final was one of the most highly anticipated events at the Paris Games. For centuries, the 100-meter final has been the most talked-about Olympic event, filled with folklore about the legendary Usain Bolt.

But the moment arrived to crown a new champion. Simbine lined up alongside fierce competitors like Noah Lyles of the United States, and Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, amongst others.

From the start, Simbine had an explosive reaction, quickly positioning himself among the front runners. As the race progressed, the intensity was palpable, with all athletes pushing their limits.

At the 60-meter mark, the leader was nearly impossible to discern as four runners tightly clustered at the front.

A stunning display showing exactly how the men’s 100M played out and how close Simbine was till the very end. (Photo: GettyImages)

A photo-finish was the conclusion, with a short waiting time needed to decide who won the gold medal.

As fans and athletes worldwide held their breath, the screen flashed the winner: Noah Lyles, crowned champion with a blistering time of 9.79 seconds!

The Podium Finishers

Lyles clinched the gold medal for USA, with a time of 9.79 seconds. Kishane Thompson claimed silver for Jamaica with a time of 9.78 seconds, while Fred Kerley secured bronze at 9.80 seconds for USA. Simbine’s 9.82 seconds placed him just outside the podium, highlighting the incredibly close and competitive nature of the race.

Controversially, the officials edged out Thompson, who ran the same time as the winner, by just five-thousandths of a second. The photo-finish graphic confirmed this, showing Lyles’ chest crossing the line first by a centimeter.

The photo finish of the men’s 100m final shows Lyles breaking the finish line first with his chest, the part of the body that counts. (AP Photo/Paris Olympics)

In third place, Fred Kerley emerged, with a time also shockingly close to first.

Despite the intense competition, Simbine maintained his form and crossed the line with a personal best, narrowly missing a podium finish.

Looking Ahead

Simbine’s fourth-place finish and new South African record at the Paris Olympics have cemented his status as one of the world’s elite sprinters.

Looking forward, he remains focused on unfinished business at the Olympics, with an opportunity to secure a medal in the 4×100 meter relay.

Indeed, his spirits remain uplifted following the race on Sunday night, which he shared in a post-race interview.

“I’m happy to have got a national record and to be in the final,” Simbine said. “There’s no way I’m leaving this sport now,” said the 30-year-old in his post-race interview. “I started late, so I have to keep pushing for even greater success in the future.”

Fans will remember Akani Simbine’s remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a highlight of his career.

Though bittersweet, as this marks his second consecutive fourth-place finish at the Olympics, he can hold his head high, knowing he has made his country proud.

Here’s what fans on X had to say about Simbine’s achievement:

@robertmarawa posted, “The 4th FASTEST MAN ON THE PLANET!!!! Our OLYMPIC 100m hero!!! 9.82 @AkaniSimbine“