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The words “photo finish” have never been more applicable than to the end of the men’s 100-meter race with the United States’ Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
Lyles won by the closest of margins — so close that it appeared to most that Thompson had won. NBC’s play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey called Thompson the winner in the moment during the broadcast.
However, a winner was not officially declared as replays and photos were being closely scrutinized. The Jamaican sprinter appeared to initially think he had won until it was evident the finish was being reviewed.
Then the photo and slow-motion replay evidence came in and showed that Lyles was indeed the winner. It was close, so very close. Plenty of comparisons were immediately made: By a hair, by a breath, by the blink of the eye. The photo from the Associated Press captures it perfectly. According to Olympic rules, a runner has not crossed the finish line until his torso passes. That’s why Lyles won.
At least one commentator called it correctly from the jump. That was, of course, former American sprinter and four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, who was working for BBC.
Michael Johnson working for BBC pointed out off-camera that it was Noah Lyles who won the men’s 100 meters. He knew. pic.twitter.com/dm9opm7WRP
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) August 4, 2024
In the aftermath, many viewers — fans and media alike — criticized NBC for being so quick to call Thompson the winner. Yet the finish was so close and so fast that it’s difficult to blame Diffey for calling a result that to the plain eye looked plausibly correct.
NBC awfully quick to give it to Thompson there
— Ken Chia, some guy online (@kcchia80) August 4, 2024
Interesting that NBC track announcers initially called 100 m “wrong” (quotes because can’t really blame them, they were working off naked eye). But they seemed confident Jamaica’s Thompson had won. Even after Lyles learned he’d won (by photo finish) they said nothing! #Paris2024
— jill vejnoska (@ajcjillv) August 4, 2024
Another issue quickly raised on social media was that the broadcast team went quiet as images of the photo were being reviewed. Did the NBC team suddenly realize it had made a mistake by calling Thompson the winner so swiftly?
Shocked that #NBC ‘s Leigh Diffey announced Kishane Thompson as the winner. It was too close to call. Announcing 101: If you are not 100% sure, wait!
Congratulations to Noah Lyles!#ParisOlympics— Cedric (@CHC1969) August 4, 2024
I just watched the NBC call of the Lyles run, omg so bad
Said Thompson won and then didn’t say a word till 10 seconds after Lyles started celebrating
The world feed or whatever was much better. Was watching bc I didn’t want other events spoiled but was curious on nbc call
— Hookah Doncic Fan Club (@MavsAllTheTime) August 4, 2024
Yet, what could be said as everyone — including the race’s participants — were awaiting the official ruling?
NBC thought it was Thompson all the way until Lyles celebrated and then no times were ever shown on the screen??? Just really bad stuff marring an incredible race https://t.co/umagWOcBFl
— Mary Clarke (@marycclarke) August 4, 2024
Social media has become the harshest judge of broadcasts and written media. In this instance, time will likely be kind to NBC and Diffey as the heat of the finish simmers down.
More on the 2024 Paris Olympics
From the experts at Yahoo Sports
The broadcasters literally called the race as they saw it — even if eyesight turned out to convey incorrect information in a split-second. Virtually everyone else watching saw it the same way.
TV broadcasts utilize slow-motion cameras of the highest resolution from a variety of angles for moments just like this. The result wasn’t in question because of that, even if the actual winner wasn’t immediately apparent.