*Noah Lyles faced a profoundly different start to his day this past Tuesday. The discomfort he felt was not just the regular soreness that accompanies being an elite athlete—especially one who had recently etched his name in history by becoming the first Team USA sprinter in 20 years to claim gold in the 100-meter final on Sunday.
In search of answers, Lyles consulted with medical professionals, leading to the discovery that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Despite the diagnosis, Lyles never once considered withdrawing from the 200-meter final scheduled for Thursday. His resolve to compete was unshaken, even under the shadow of illness.
Nevertheless, the impact of the virus on his body was evident during the race. Known for his electrifying speed and magnetic presence on the track, Lyles found it challenging to maintain his characteristic form.
Ultimately, Lyles clinched a bronze medal—a monumental feat given the circumstances, yet far from the victory he had envisioned. The strain of the illness was unmistakable as Lyles, completely exhausted and unable to stand, was wheeled off the track at Stade de France, a striking contrast to the jubilant athlete who had celebrated just days earlier, according to the N Y Post.
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo stunned spectators by capturing gold with an impressive 19.46 seconds, while Team USA’s Kenneth Bednarek took silver with 19.62 seconds. Lyles, visibly drained, shared his thoughts post-race while donning a mask.
“I’ve run with worse conditions,” he remarked. “We just took it day-by-day, hydrating as much as possible. Quarantined off. It’s taken a toll for sure, but I’ve never been more proud of myself for coming out here and getting a bronze medal.”
Lyles’ unfaltering dedication did not go unnoticed. NBC’s Lewis Johnson reported: “I ran into his mom, Keisha Caine Bishop, who was distraught trying to find him… We located Noah Lyles in medical, being tended to, and she confirmed that Noah had been diagnosed with COVID two days prior… But he decided he was going to run anyway.”
The week for Lyles was a rollercoaster ride, beginning with the euphoria of a gold medal win in the 100-meter race, followed by a seemingly effortless qualification in the 200-meter heat. However, his participation in the upcoming 4×100 relay final remains uncertain in light of his COVID-19 diagnosis.
Letsile Tebogo was asked after winning the men’s 200m final if he aspires to world records and being the face of track and field.
Here was his answer:
“I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah (Lyles).”#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/HzafPb1kaM
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 8, 2024
When asked if he aspires to be the new face of sprint running, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, the unexpected winner of the 200 meters, said unapologetically: “I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah.”
As the world sets its sights on the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, Noah Lyles and Team USA’s journey will undoubtedly be marked by new challenges and victories. Today’s events have already exemplified Lyles’ resilience, foreshadowing future stories of perseverance and excellence for this dedicated sprinter.
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