Noah Lyles, the stellar American sprinter and favorite to win the gold medal in the 200 meters at Paris 2024, faced unforeseen circumstances on Thursday, ending up with the bronze medal despite competing while infected with COVID-19.
According to CBS Sports, Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 meters, saw his performance significantly impaired due to the illness, which was diagnosed last Tuesday. The 2023 world titleholder in the 200 meters suffers from asthma and, according to various sources, was seen wearing a mask before the race and showed considerable signs of exhaustion afterward.
In fact, he was never a serious contender for the top spot against the champion Letsile Tebogo from Botswana, who covered the distance in a phenomenal 19.46 seconds, setting an African record and ranking among the best times ever. Another respected American sprinter, Kenny Bednarek, finished in second place with 19.62 seconds. The fatigued Lyles followed in third with a time of 19.70, requiring medical assistance on the track and later being attended to backstage.
It is worth noting that the International Olympic Committee allows athletes and teams at Paris 2024 to make their own decisions regarding their ability to compete, treating COVID-19 like any other respiratory illness.
The question now is, will Lyles run in the 4x100 meters relay?
Noah Lyles' COVID-19 Challenge in Paris 2024
With Noah Lyles facing unexpected challenges due to COVID-19, many questions arise about his performance and future participation in the Olympics. Here are some frequently asked questions:
How did COVID-19 affect Noah Lyles' performance in the 200 meters?
Noah Lyles' performance was significantly impaired due to COVID-19, which exacerbated his asthma and led to notable exhaustion during and after the race.
Who won the gold medal in the 200 meters at Paris 2024?
Letsile Tebogo from Botswana won the gold medal with a phenomenal time of 19.46 seconds, setting an African record.
Will Noah Lyles compete in the 4x100 meters relay?
It is currently uncertain whether Noah Lyles will compete in the 4x100 meters relay, given his recent health challenges.