August 8th 2024.
After securing a bronze medal in the 200m race, Noah Lyles was seen being wheeled away in a wheelchair. It was a bittersweet moment for the American athlete, who had recently faced criticism for competing in the men's Olympic final despite testing positive for Covid-19. Letise Tebogo, who won the race and claimed the gold medal, came to Lyles' defense, stating that he did not believe the other athletes were at risk during the competition.
Lyles, who had just won the 100m Olympic championship, faced a tough challenge in the 200m semi-finals. He finished in second place behind Tebogo, securing a spot in the final race. However, he was unable to replicate his previous success and had to settle for the bronze medal behind Tebogo and Kenny Bednarek, who won the gold and silver medals respectively. It was later revealed that Lyles had tested positive for Covid-19 just two days before the final race, leading to criticism from some individuals.
BBC host Gabby Logan and former Olympic champion Michael Johnson were among those who questioned Lyles' decision to compete and potentially put the other athletes at risk. Lyles was seen hugging and high-fiving his fellow competitors after crossing the finish line, which raised concerns about the spread of the virus. However, Tebogo defended Lyles, stating that as a non-contact sport, he did not believe they were at risk. He also mentioned that Lyles was isolated in the call room and did not interact with other athletes before the race.
Bednarek, who finished second in the race, also shared Tebogo's sentiments and did not feel like he was at risk. He mentioned that he takes good care of his body and rarely gets sick, so the news about Lyles' positive test did not worry him. He also expressed his support for Lyles and hoped for his speedy recovery.
In an interview with NBC, Lyles hinted at potentially pulling out of the upcoming 4x100m relay race in two days' time. He stated that he would leave the decision up to Team USA, who have proven that they can handle the race without him. Lyles mentioned that he was feeling more inclined to let his team handle it and focus on his recovery. He also expressed his confidence in their abilities to secure the gold medal without him.
In the end, Lyles' decision to compete despite testing positive for Covid-19 remains controversial. However, his fellow athletes have stood by him and defended his actions, stating that they did not feel at risk during the race. Lyles' focus now shifts to his recovery, and it remains to be seen if he will participate in the 4x100m relay race with his team.
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