“I still wanted to run,” Lyles said talking to reporters with a mask on.“They (the medical team) said it was possible.”
Lyles crossed the finish line in 19.70 seconds, falling short of his personal record by .39 seconds. The gold medal was claimed by the 21-year-old Botswana runner Letsile Tebogo, who outpaced Lyles by .24 seconds
.
Kenny Bednarek, Lyles’s teammate from the United States, secured the silver medal. This marked the second consecutive Olympic Games in which Lyles and Bednarek achieved a 2-3 finish.
“When I saw Kenny fade, I knew Noah was far, far, far away behind us,” Tebogo said, as quoted by The Associated Press. “So that means I’m the Olympic champion.”
After opening his Paris campaign by a sensational win in the keenly-contested 100m race, Lyles, the reigning world champion in the 200m, aimed to replicate Usain Bolt’s feat of winning both the 100m and 200m titles at a single Olympics, a double that hasn’t been achieved since Bolt’s triumph eight years ago.
However, Lyles encountered a setback in the semifinals when he finished second to Tebogo, marking his first loss in a 200-meter race since his bronze medal performance in Tokyo.
Following the semifinal defeat, Lyles swiftly exited the stadium and sought medical attention in the designated tent, an unusual occurrence as he typically engages with the media after his races. His coach assured that Lyles was in good health.
Lyles revealed that he had tested positive for COVID two days after securing victory in the 100m final and promptly entered quarantine. He focused on staying hydrated, getting ample rest and preparing himself mentally and physically for the upcoming race.
(Getty Images)
United States Track and Field (USATF) confirmed that Lyles underwent “a thorough medical evaluation” and made the decision to compete despite the circumstances.
“We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely,” the statement said.
The aftermath of the race was unsettling.
Lyles, typically among the most vibrant athletes on the track, both prior to and following any sprint, succumbed to exhaustion. He fell to the ground, turning onto his side, struggling to catch his breath. Slowly, he maneuvered onto his hands and knees before rising to one knee, using his fist to maintain balance.
After a moment, he managed to stand, unsteadily making his way towards the medical staff, gesturing for a drink of water. Ultimately, he departed the scene in a wheelchair.
“It definitely was an effect,” Lyles said. “But I mean, to be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything for coming out and getting the bronze medal with COVID.”
