American sprinter Noah Lyles, a dominant force in track and field, has announced that his Paris Olympic campaign is over after testing positive for COVID-19. The news comes just hours after Lyles needed medical attention following his shock third-place finish in the 200 meters, a race in which he was a strong favorite to win.
Lyles confirmed that he turned up a positive COVID-19 test on Tuesday, two days after he won the 100 meters. The 26-year-old sprinter was already showing signs of physical distress after Thursday’s final in the 200 meters, where he finished behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and Kenya’s Kenny Bednarek.
“I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart,” Lyles wrote on Instagram, reflecting on the abrupt end to his ambitious quest.
Lyles entered the Paris Games with the goal of securing four gold medals, aiming to conquer the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay. His departure from the Olympics is undoubtedly a significant blow, as the 200m final also marked the first time in three years that the reigning triple world champion had been defeated in this event.
Lyles’ departure comes on the heels of his feature in the Netflix docuseries “SPRINT,” which highlighted his journey as a gold medal contender. In the wake of his unexpected exit, gold medalist Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and silver medalist Kenny Bednarek offered their congratulations and expressed their admiration for Lyles. Tebogo, who secured the gold in the 200m, acknowledged Lyles’ influence in the sport and extended his best wishes for the future.
Despite the disappointment, Lyles took a moment to thank his fans for their unwavering support. “I hope everyone enjoyed the show,” he wrote. “Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched, didn’t you?”
Lyles’ sudden withdrawal underscores the unpredictable nature of the Olympics, where even the strongest contenders can face unexpected challenges. The sprinter’s health scare and subsequent positive COVID-19 test have brought a premature end to what could have been another historic Olympic run for the American star.
Reuters report
