Did Noah Lyles run with COVID-19 in 200m at Paris Olympics 2024? All we know about American's condition after bronze medal win

By Pritha Ghosh

Modified Aug 08, 2024 20:14 GMT

Noah Lyles has been making headlines at the 2024 Paris Olympics, already securing two medals—a gold and a bronze. His bronze medal in the 200m race on Thursday, August 8, is particularly remarkable, as he achieved it despite testing positive for COVID-19 two days before the race.

Heading into the race, Lyles was the favorite to win but ultimately finished third, behind fellow American Kenny Bednarek (silver) and Botswana's Leslie Tebogo (gold). After crossing the finish line, Lyles showed signs of distress, asking for water, struggling to breathe, and eventually collapsing into a wheelchair.

Soon after, BBC presenter Gabby Logan disclosed that Lyles was battling COVID-19. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson also chipped in on the matter during commentary, saying:

"[The medics] would've given him the OK to race, he's probably not in danger of anything by racing other than being 100 per cent and able to perform the way that he would want to."

Noah Lyles later confirmed the news, explaining that he chose not to disclose his condition because he didn't want his competitors to know he was sick. However, his mother, Keisha, and his medical team were aware. He had also been quarantined in a hotel for the past few days.

"No, we were trying to keep this close to the chest. Most of the people that knew were the medical staff, my coach, my mom, my family, we were trying to keep it as close to the chest as possible," he told the reporters.

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Noah Lyles' goal of winning 4 gold medals in Paris Olympics 2024 on hold as he tests positive for COVID-19

Noah Lyles pictured at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Source: Getty)

Heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles had a single goal: to win four gold medals—a feat never before achieved in sprinting. While Usain Bolt won three golds in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games, no sprinter has ever claimed four.

"Well, there have been multiple doubles, not a lot, but there have been plenty. I can grab three, but Bolt has done that. I can do two Olympics in a row, but Bolt has done that too," Lyles told The Times in June.

"I expect to get multiple gold medals but what I want is four. I can definitely put a downpayment on two, but relays are a bit tricky," he added.

However, after securing a gold in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m, the American's future in the French capital is uncertain. He was set to compete with the men's 4x100-meter relay team on Thursday morning but sat out, even though the team qualified for the final. It's unclear whether he will compete with them in the upcoming race.

"I’ll talk to the coaches and I’ll be very honest and transparent with them," Lyles told the media of his future plans. "I’m gonna let them make the decision. I think no matter what happens this 4x100m team can handle anything and everything."