Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles has revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 just two days before his bronze medal performance in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Lyles, who was aiming for a historic 100m-200m double, faced a significant challenge after his diagnosis. Despite the setback, he managed to secure a bronze medal in a race that was ultimately won by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo.
Lyles Shares His Experience
In an interview with NBC, Lyles opened up about his experience leading up to the final. “I woke up early, about 5:00 am on Tuesday, feeling really horrible,” he said. “I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100 metres. We woke up the doctors and we tested, and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for COVID.”
Despite feeling unwell, Lyles pushed through the race but was visibly affected, requiring a wheelchair to leave the track after the 200m final. He acknowledged that the illness had taken a toll on his performance.
Impact on Lyles’ Performance
- COVID-19 Diagnosis: Tested positive two days before the 200m final.
- Physical Strain: Felt severe symptoms and fatigue leading up to the race.
- Final Outcome: Managed to win bronze despite the setback.