'We sharpen what needs sharpening!' — Kishane Thompson responds to Stephen Francis' critique on what cost him Olympic gold to Noah Lyles

In a dramatic showdown at the Paris Olympics, came within milliseconds of securing gold in the 100m final, clocking 9.79 seconds alongside eventual winner

 Despite his stellar performance, Thompson’s quest for gold fell short due to two critical issues highlighted by his coach, Stephen Francis.

Francis, renowned for molding world-class sprinters, pointed to Thompson’s slow reaction time of 0.176 seconds, a key setback in a race decided by razor-thin margins.

Stephen Francis, who has coached Kishane Thompson into becoming one of the most exciting young sprinters in the world, has now told his protege the mistake he made that cost him gold to Noah Lyles at the Olympic final in Paris last August.

 In comparison, Lyles, who shared the slowest reaction time of 0.178 seconds, compensated with exceptional top-end speed to edge out Thompson by just four thousandths of a second.

Francis bluntly commented on “Your blocks let you down,” adding that Thompson’s tightening up in the final stages of the race under pressure from Fred Kerley further cost him.

Thompson acknowledged these critiques with a determined response, emphasizing his resolve to improve:“Everything, everything. No excuses,” he told . “We sharpen what needs sharpening. If it is sharp already, we make it even sharper. It’s all about maintaining my best.”

Kishane Thompson's coach Stephen Francis believes the Jamaican sprinter will not be affected by Noah Lyles' 'mind games' like he does with 'inferior athletes'.

He also reflected on his need to trust his speed and maintain composure in high-stakes races, stating:“I should have been more patient. I didn’t trust my speed as I should have… but I know I’m inexperienced. It’s not an excuse, just something to adapt and overcome.”

Despite the disappointment, Thompson’s silver medal performance confirmed his status as one of the fastest sprinters in the world. However, Francis’s critique underscores the fine margins in elite sprinting, where even a fraction of a second at the start can determine the outcome.

As Thompson looks ahead to the and other marquee events, his ability to refine his start will likely play a pivotal role in his quest for gold. With Francis’s guidance and his undeniable talent, Thompson remains a formidable contender on the global stage.

This race will undoubtedly go down in history as a showcase of raw speed, precision, and the ever-present drama of track and field. For Thompson, it is a valuable lesson in the pursuit of perfection.

American spring king Noah Lyles has expressed his desire to claim further world titles next year in what is a warning to his rivals such as Letsile Tebogo and Kishane Thompson.