Something didn't make sense when Noah Lyles, the heavy favorite to win the men's 200-meter final, finished third.
It was the same result she achieved three years ago in Tokyo, but she has improved vastly in the event with a personal best of 19.31 (the third fastest in history) and winning the world championships in 2022 and 2023 (she also won in 2019).
However, Lyles settled for bronze, and after cameras caught him seeking medical attention after the race, as well as needing a wheelchair to get back into the tunnel, it was revealed that the 27-year-old was diagnosed with COVID earlier in the week.
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Bronze medalist Noah Lyles of Team USA wears a mask after competing in the men's 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics on August 8, 2024. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“I woke up early, about 5 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and I felt really horrible. I knew it was more than just the pain of the 100 meters,” Lyles told NBC. He had won gold in that race and was seeking to become the first American to achieve the Olympic double since Carl Lewis in 1984.
Despite not achieving the result she wanted, Lyles, whose “dream goal” at these games was to set a new world record in the event, is taking it in a positive light.
“My first thought was not to panic, thinking that I've been in worse situations. I've raced in worse conditions, I felt…” he said. “I would definitely say it took its toll on me, for sure, but I've never been more proud of myself for being able to come here and get a bronze medal. At the last Olympics, I was very disappointed. This time, I couldn't be more proud.”
Noah Lyles is shown after competing in the men's 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics on August 8, 2024. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Lyles said he never considered not competing in the final, but later posted that he would likely withdraw from the rest of the Olympics; he had been scheduled to run in the men's 4×100-meter final on Friday.
“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 in an Instagram post.
“I hope you all enjoyed the show. Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched it, right? See you next time.”
Lyles had said on the broadcast that the rest of the 4×100 team “can handle it without me.”
“I have no problem telling them: 'You do what you have to do. You have enough speed to be able to handle the situation and get the gold medal.'”
Noah Lyles is removed from the wheelchair track after competing in the men's 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics on August 8, 2024. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Lyles finished the race in 19.70, while fellow American Kenny Bednarek again won silver.
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