Paris 2024 Olympics: See how close the 100-meter final was between Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson — and why Lyles won.

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The words “photo finish” have never been more applicable than in the final of the men’s 100 meters with Noah Lyles of the United States and Kishane Thompson of Jamaica.

Lyles won in close quarters – so close that it seemed to many that Thompson had won. NBC sportscaster Leigh Diffey called Thompson the winner during the broadcast.

However, the winner was not officially announced as the performances and the photos are still being watched carefully. The Jamaican runner seemed to think he had won until it became clear that the finish was being checked.

Then photo evidence and slow motion footage came in and showed that Lyles was indeed the winner. It was close, very close. Many comparisons were made at once: With hair, with breath, with the blink of an eye. A photo from the Associated Press captures it well. According to Olympic rules, a runner has not crossed the finish line until his body has passed. That’s why Lyles won.

At least one commenter correctly called it from the jump. That, of course, was former American sprinter and four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, who worked for the BBC.

After that, many viewers – fans and media – criticized NBC for being too quick to call Thompson the winner. Yet the end was so close and swift that it’s hard to blame Diffey for calling what seemed like the right result.

Another issue that was quickly raised on social media was that the broadcast team remained silent while the footage was being reviewed. Did the NBC team suddenly realize they made a mistake in calling Thompson the winner so quickly?

However, what could be said while everyone—including those taking part in the race—was waiting for a legal decision?

Social media has become the toughest judge of broadcasts and written media. This time, time will be kind to NBC and Diffey as the final heat cools down.

Broadcasters called the speed as they saw it – even though the eyes could give the wrong information in a second. Almost all the people watching saw the same way.

TV broadcasts use high resolution slow motion cameras from different angles for moments like this. The result was not in doubt because of that, although the real winner was not immediately apparent.