The American 100m and 200m champion world gold medalist Noah Lyles’ journey at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games stopped abruptly after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. It was evident that the athlete was struggling with illness at the races. However, he still won a bronze medal in the 200m race.
It was visible that Lyle was physically struggling at the race, which he could win easily, allowing him circumstances. He trailed out of the turn and was still in his range in the final 100 meters. The power he usually displays in the 200-meter race was absent, and he was fading, something you don’t usually see with Noah Lyles.
Clearly, the athlete would not win this race, making Carl Lewis the last remaining American to ever win the 100m and 200m at the Stade de France in 1984.
Botswana’s Litsile Tebogo beat Noah Lyles in this race by clocking a time of 19.46 to win the gold medal, followed by America’s Kenny Bednarek in second place, who clocked a time of 19.62 to win the silver medal. Lyles had to settle for the bronze medal in third place, a feat of victory for him as he did that while still battling COVID-19.
His performance in the Olympics made sense to his fans and everyone else after the news of his diagnosis was released.
Four years ago, an athlete hiding a COVID-19 diagnosis and continuing to compete could have been subjected to disciplinary actions. But not long after the 200m race, Malaika Mihambo of Germany announced that she also battled COVID amid her quest for a silver medal.
“I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics,” Lyles posted on Instagram after thanking God and congratulating Tebogo and Bednarek. “It is not the Olympic(s) I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart. I hope everyone enjoyed the show. Whether you were rooting for or against me, you must admit you watched, didn’t you?”
Even with this loss and this illness, which will probably end his Olympics, Lyles accomplished what he set out to do: transcending the world of sports.
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