Usain Bolt remains in Olympus, Marcell Jacobs is only fifth but with honor in his second final of the Games, this time in a packed stadium, seething with passion and enthusiasm. Running as fast as he had never done this year, in 9″85, was not enough for the Italian to get on the podium of the 100, much less to do like “Il Lampo” or confirm himself as Olympic champion. So, after having abdicated, he sadly left the track of the Stade de France, touching himself several times on the back of his left thigh. The winner was his most accredited rival, as the reigning world champion, that Noah Lyles born histrion who, while jumping for mad joy, is applauded by the actress Sharon Stone who stands up for him in the stands. Lyles, in 9″79, won in a photo finish over the one who had run better so far in Paris, namely the Jamaican Kishane Thompson trained by Stephen Francis who made Asafa Powell great and now leads this other champion who does the 100 in less than 42 steps and on the throw is really beautiful to watch.
Too bad for him that the star Lyles beat him by a hair. But Jacobs is the man of the daythe most acclaimed at the presentation of both his semifinal and the challenge for the medals, and his race towards the podium is in vain. It is not enough for him to have one of the best reaction times to the shot, and then push like crazy to beat at least Fred Kerley (in the end bronze), as happened in Tokyo, and not even the eternal runner-up Akani Simbine, South African who puts another cardboard medal in the showcase. Jacobs consoles himself with the pride of the champion who nevertheless did not lower his guard, gave everything, and changed his life by going to Florida, and now he will try to make up for it in the relay, physical problems permitting. Marcell left the competition area limping noticeably, but tried to reassure everyone by saying that “it’s just a cramp”. “I believed in the medal, but I have no regrets – he added – because I gave it my all. The others were going really fast. I’m sorry because I wanted to celebrate another gold with all the Italians, but Jacobs’ career doesn’t end here”.