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Noah Lyles earns bronze in men’s 200-m despite COVID-19 positive test
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    Noah Lyles earns bronze in men’s 200-m despite COVID-19 positive test

    SAINT-DENIS, France — Noah Lyles lost the Olympic 200 meters Thursday, falling to Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, then being tended to by medics who carted him off the track in a wheelchair suffering with what The Associated Press learned was a case of COVID.

    After crossing the line third for the second straight Olympics, Lyles fell to his back and eventually sat up to be tended to by medical staff. A person familiar with Lyles’ condition, who did not want to be identified, told AP he was diagnosed with COVID three days before the final.

    “I definitely say that it’s taking its toll, for sure, but I’ve never been more proud of myself for being able to come out here and get a bronze medal,” Lyles said to NBC after the race.

    “I just was feeling really horrible. I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100. … I woke up the doctors and tested and unfortunately it came up positive. My first thought was not to panic. I’ve been in worse situations. I’ve run with worse conditions. We just took it day by day.”

    CBC’s Devin Heroux obtained a statement from the USA Track and Field (USTAF), where the organization confirmed Lyles tested positive for COVID on Monday and that Lyles still chose to compete in finals.

    “In response (to Lyles’ positive test), the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USTAF swiftly enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors,” USATF said in the statement to Heroux.

    “…After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely. As an organization, we are rigorously adhering to CDC, USOPC, and IOC guidelines for respiratory illnesses to prevent the spread of illness among team members, safeguarding their health and performance.”

    Prior to the Olympics, a spokesperson for the USOPC told Time Magazine that COVID is being treated like any other respiratory illness in Paris.

    “We will allow them to train and compete as long as they feel up to it,” the USOPC spokesperson said to Time Magazine.

    It’s the second straight Olympics the virus has played a major role in Lyles’ trip to the Games. He also won the bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, and he has said the empty stands and a year delay before the Games led to depression that he said hampered his performance and inspired his road to Paris.

    Tebogo, 21, led wire-to-wire and won in 19.46 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in history. Bednarek, who also won silver in Tokyo, finished in 19.62 and Lyles, four nights after winning a close-as-can-be 100, ran the curve in 19.70.

    Lyles had not been beaten in a 200 since that night in Tokyo, and after his win in the 100, he brought the bronze medal to the press conference, slammed it on the table and said that had been his motivation for three full years.

    Now, he’ll get another one.

    Thursday’s final marked the second straight night Tebogo beat him to the finish line in the Lyles’ favourite race.

    In the semifinal, Lyles finished second and skipped his traditional meeting with reporters to head to the medical tent. His coach said he was fine.

    This time, Tebogo was leading as the sprinters reached the curve. That’s the time Lyles usually puts on his trademark close, but there was no strong finish.

    — With files from Sportsnet Staff

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    American Noah Lyles captures gold in men’s 100-m final in photo finish

    American sprinter Noah Lyles made headlines at the Tokyo Olympics when he earned a bronze medal in the men’s 200-meter final, despite testing positive for COVID-19 just weeks before the competition. Lyles, who was considered a favorite to win gold in the event, faced numerous challenges leading up to the race, but his determination and perseverance ultimately paid off.

    Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 in July, forcing him to withdraw from the U.S. Olympic Trials and quarantine for two weeks. Despite the setback, Lyles remained focused on his goal of competing in Tokyo and representing his country on the world stage. He continued to train and prepare for the Olympics, even as he battled the effects of the virus.

    In the days leading up to the men’s 200-meter final, Lyles faced criticism and skepticism from some who questioned whether he would be able to perform at his best after recovering from COVID-19. However, Lyles remained confident in his abilities and refused to let the doubters get to him. He stayed focused on his race plan and visualized himself crossing the finish line in first place.

    On race day, Lyles delivered a strong performance in the men’s 200-meter final, finishing in third place behind gold medalist Andre De Grasse of Canada and silver medalist Kenny Bednarek of the United States. Despite missing out on the top spot on the podium, Lyles was proud of his bronze medal and grateful for the opportunity to compete at the Olympics.

    Lyles’ bronze medal win is a testament to his resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a positive COVID-19 test, Lyles never gave up on his dream of competing at the highest level and representing his country with pride. His performance in Tokyo serves as an inspiration to athletes around the world who may be facing their own obstacles and setbacks.

    As Lyles looks ahead to future competitions and challenges, he remains focused on continuing to improve and push himself to new heights. With his talent, work ethic, and positive attitude, there is no doubt that Noah Lyles will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of track and field for years to come.