Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo took a dig at her American counterpart Noah Lyles after being asked about how she became the face of men's athletics following her victory in the 200m final on Thursday.
Tebogo, making his Olympic debut, stunned the field by winning gold in the men's 200m final after failing to medal in the 100m final earlier in the week. Lyles, who won gold in that race, settled for bronze in the 200m before it was later revealed that had contracted COVID-19 days before.
Noah Lyles of USA disappointed after winning bronze in the men's 200m final during the Paris 2024 Athletics Olympic Games at Stade de France on August 8, 2024 in Paris, France. (Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After the race, the Botswana runner sat next to defending silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek of Team USA to talk about his victory.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Tebogo answered several questions, including one about his aspirations in the sport and whether his goal is to become the face of men's athletics. Tebogo admitted that Lyles is better suited for that role, but seemed to make a subtle allusion to Lyles' disposition.
“I think in my case I can't be the face of athletics because I'm not an arrogant or loud person like Noah. [Lyles]”he said in a room full of journalists.
Letsile Tebogo of Team Botswana competes during the Athletics Men's 200m Hurdles Final on Day 13 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on August 8, 2024 in Saint-Denis, France. (Fu Tian/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
“That's why I think Noah is the face of athletics.”
Noah Lyles settles for bronze in the men's 200 metres and leaves the track in a wheelchair after testing positive for COVID
Bednarek did not respond to the comment made about his teammate.
Lyles has made no secret of his excellence in the sport. After winning three gold medals at last year's world championships, he received criticism for suggesting that other athletes, such as NBA players, They had no right to call themselves world champions.
“I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have the word 'world champion' in their head. World champion of what?” Lyles said at the time. “Of the United States? Don't get me wrong. I love the United States sometimes, but that's not the world. That's not the world.”
Letsile Tebogo of Team Botswana, left, with Noah Lyles of Team USA after winning the men's 200m final at the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Lyles this week won the United States' first gold medal in the men's 100 meters since 2004 and was hoping to further cement his status as the sport's best by becoming the first American to win both the 100 and 200 meters since 1984.
He was unable to do so and will probably not participate in Friday's 4x100m relay either.
“I think this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It's not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with a lot of joy in my heart,” Lyles wrote on social media Thursday. “I hope everyone enjoyed the show. Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched it, don't you?”
He signed the message by writing: “Sincerely, the fastest man alive for the next 4 years!”
Fox News' Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
