Letsile Tebogo and Noah Lyles. PHOTO: All from Getty Images

Noah Lyles rolling on wheelchair mocked in viral Botswana video as Letsile Tebogo receives rousing welcome following Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 14, 2024 04:45 GMT

Botswana people recently mocked Noah Lyles by imitating him, with an individual sitting in a wheelchair similar to what happened to the American after the 200m race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lyles was taken in a wheelchair after he fell on the ground due to exhaustion.

Following his bronze-medal win in the men’s 200m race in Paris, Lyles felt exhausted and was taken away from the stadium in a wheelchair. He had returned positive for COVID-19, which resulted in exhaustion. He did not disclose his positive test until after the race.

Noah Lyles had entered the men's 200m final as the favorite with the fastest personal best-time among the remaining finalists at 19.31s and a season-best of 19.53s. However, in the finals, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo ran a blistering African record performance with a time of 19.46s to bag the country’s first gold medal in Olympics history.

The viral video shows people from Botswana mocking Noah Lyles by recreating his post-race experience where one person plays the role of the American athlete being taken off in a wheelchair just like how Lyles was transported from the Stade de France.

Additionally, the viral video features an individual wearing a jersey with "Tebogo" written on it.

Watch the video here:

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On August 13, Botswana gave a grand welcome to Letsile Tebogo. Families, older and younger supporters turned out in large numbers as Tebogo along with other athletes paraded on a rooftop bus at the National Stadium. Additionally, President Mokgweetsi Masisi had declared a half-day holiday to celebrate Tebogo’s achievement.

A look into Noah Lyles' campaign at Paris Olympics 2024

Noah Lyles of Team United States celebrates winning the gold medal in the Men's 100m Final on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

Although Noah Lyles' journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics didn't end the way he had desired, the American sprinter still took home the gold medal in the men's 100m event.

In one of the most anticipated races at the Paris Olympics, he edged out Jamaica's Kishane Thompson 9.79s (9.789) by the narrowest of margins, winning with a personal best time of 9.79s (9.784) in the men's 100m race.

However, due to testing positive for COVID-19, Lyles didn't feature in the men's 4x100m relay race. Eventually, the USA faced disqualification in the event due to an awkward baton exchange between Christian Coleman and Kenny Bednarek.