Noah Lyles places 3rd in Olympic 200m; Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo wins : NPR

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SAINT-DENIS, France — The primary shocker got here when Noah Lyles, the quickest man on Earth, gained bronze in his specialty occasion, the 200-meter. Then, moments after race on Thursday night time, the opposite shoe dropped: Lyles mentioned he’d examined optimistic for COVID two days earlier.

After crossing the end line, Lyles seemed in poor health, bent right down to the bottom, struggled to manage his breath, and known as for water. He was later seen rolling out in a wheelchair.

Letsile Tebogo of Botswana gained gold and Kenneth Bednarek got here in second place for silver.

It wasn’t revealed till after the race that Lyles — recent off profitable the 100-meter dash on Sunday — had examined optimistic for COVID on Tuesday.

On the NBC broadcast after the race, Lyles appeared sporting a masks and confirmed the prognosis.

“I wakened early, about 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning simply feeling actually horrible,” he informed the Olympics broadcaster. “Sadly, it got here again that I used to be optimistic for COVID.”

“My first thought was to not panic, you realize, considering I have been in worse conditions — worse circumstances, I’ve felt,” he mentioned.

He mentioned he by no means thought of skipping out on the race.

“We simply took it daily, attempting to hydrate as a lot, quarantined off,” Lyles mentioned. “It is taken it is toll for certain however I’ve by no means been extra happy with myself for having the ability to come out right here, and getting a bronze medal.”

USA Observe & Area confirmed Lyles’ prognosis in a press release to NPR after the race.

“In response, [the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee] and USATF swiftly enacted all needed protocols to prioritize his well being, the wellbeing of our crew, and the security of fellow rivals,” the group mentioned, including that it has been following CDC pointers to stop the sickness’ unfold.

“Our main dedication is to make sure the security of Workforce USA athletes whereas upholding their proper to compete. After a radical medical analysis, Noah selected to compete tonight. We respect his choice and can proceed to watch his situation carefully.”

Lyles has one ultimate occasion — the boys’s 4 x 100m relay on Friday — however mentioned he is not certain whether or not he’ll keep within the race.

“For the time being, I do not know. I am feeling extra on the facet of letting Workforce USA do their factor. They’ve confirmed with nice certainty that they’ll deal with it with out me.”

Earlier than the gang of 80,000 on the Stade de France, the 27-year-old hoped to go down in dash double historical past — aiming to be simply the tenth man to win the 100- and 200- meter races in a single Summer time Video games.

Solely 9 males have pulled off the dash double this earlier than. A type of males — Jamaican Usain Bolt — did it at three straight Olympics. The final time an American managed the dash double was Carl Lewis 40 years in the past in 1984.

After profitable his 100-meter race, Lyles posted a motivational message to his social media:

“I’ve Bronchial asthma, allergy symptoms, dyslexia, ADD, anxiousness, and Melancholy,” he said. “However I’ll let you know that what you’ve got doesn’t outline what you may develop into. Why Not You!”