Noah Lyles’ Challenging Journey at the Paris Olympics
Noah Lyles faced a tough battle on Thursday as he secured the bronze medal in the men’s 200 meters at the Paris Olympics. After crossing the finish line, he was visibly affected, hunched over on the track, signaling for water, and ultimately needed assistance, being transported away on a makeshift wheelchair.
In a candid interview with NBC shortly after the race, Lyles revealed that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 just two days prior. “I woke up early, around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, feeling really unwell. I realized it was more than just post-race soreness,” he explained. “We woke up the doctors, and when we tested, it unfortunately confirmed I was positive for COVID.”
Despite the daunting news, Lyles maintained a positive outlook. “My first thought was not to panic. I’ve faced tougher challenges in my career,” he continued. “We took it day by day, focusing on hydration and isolating myself. It has definitely taken its toll, but I’ve never been prouder of myself for coming out here and earning a bronze medal.” Reflecting on his previous Olympic experience, he added, “Last Olympics left me disappointed, but this time, I couldn’t be prouder of my performance.”
Later in the day, Lyles took to Instagram to express his feelings about the Olympics. He indicated that his participation in the 2024 Olympics might be in jeopardy. “I believe this could be the end of my 2024 Olympics,” he wrote, sharing a heartfelt photo of himself embracing 200m champion Letsile Tebogo. “This isn’t the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has filled me with immense joy. I hope everyone enjoyed the show.”
His health challenges didn’t end there. Lyles required medical attention after finishing second in his semifinal heat for the 200 meters just a day prior. “I decided to quarantine as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus. I focused solely on giving my best effort,” he said. “If I hadn’t made it to the final, I would have accepted it as a sign that I didn’t deserve to compete.”
Lyles aimed to achieve a historic Olympic double in the 100 and 200 meters, a feat not accomplished since Usain Bolt did it three consecutive times between 2008 and 2016, and the first by an American since Carl Lewis in 1984.
At the Paris Olympics, the landscape regarding COVID protocols was vastly different from previous Games. There was no mandatory testing for COVID-19, nor any official guidelines for athletes testing positive. In stark contrast, the Tokyo Games in 2021 and the Beijing Games in 2022 had stringent testing and quarantining measures, which prevented infected athletes from competing.
The Paris Olympics aimed to represent a return to normalcy, with vaccines and treatments widely available. However, Lyles’ situation, coupled with the sight of his mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, pleading for assistance, served as a sobering reminder of the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
In a related incident at the Olympic Games, British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive after winning a silver medal in the breaststroke on July 28 but was back in the pool six days later for the 4×100-meter medley. Additionally, five Australian water polo players tested positive prior to the Games and were allowed to participate again once they felt well enough to train.
“If those five athletes are feeling well enough to train, they will, and they are following all the necessary protocols,” stated Anna Meares from the Australian Olympic Committee.
Required Reading
- Letsile Tebogo Runs Away to Win 200m Olympic Gold; Noah Lyles Reveals COVID-19 Diagnosis
- Noah Lyles Makes 2 a.m. Run for Girlfriend — Then Advances Out of 200m First Round with Ease
- How Noah Lyles Became Olympic 100m Champion: A 300-Page Textbook, Biomechanics, and a Stickman
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
