Noah Lyles Wins Bronze in 200m Despite COVID Diagnosis

In a surprising twist at the Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles, often hailed as the fastest man on Earth, took home a bronze medal in the 200-meter race. This unexpected outcome came just moments after Lyles revealed he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.

Lyles raced to a time of 19.70 seconds, finishing behind his teammate Kenneth Bednarek, who earned the silver with a time of 19.62 seconds. The gold medal was claimed by Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who dazzled the crowd with an impressive time of 19.46 seconds.

Once crossing the finish line, Lyles appeared visibly shaken, struggling to catch his breath. He had to be wheeled off the track, where it was later confirmed he had been feeling unwell due to his COVID diagnosis, which he disclosed after the race.

Speaking about his condition, Lyles mentioned he woke up feeling terrible on Tuesday morning. Despite the odds stacked against him, he was determined to compete. “I still wanted to run,” he said, emphasizing his passion for the sport.

Even though he battled shortness of breath and chest pain, Lyles put on a brave face during the race. Afterward, he expressed pride in his performance, noting how challenging it was to compete under such circumstances. “I’m more proud of myself than anything, coming out here to get a bronze with COVID,” he shared.

The moment was bittersweet for Lyles, who was aiming for history by becoming one of the few athletes to win both the 100 and 200-meter events in a single Olympics. His first gold was in the 100 meters earlier in the week, following a nail-biting finish that left him exhilarated.

Originally, Lyles planned to compete in the upcoming men’s 4×100 relay, but he remained undecided about his participation, ensuring that he would consult with his coaches. “I’m going to be very honest and transparent with the coaches,” he said, acknowledging the importance of his health first.