Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic 100-meter champion, has disclosed that he tested positive for COVID-19 just two days before competing in the 200-meter final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite his illness, Lyles managed to secure a bronze medal in Thursday’s race but later announced that his participation in the Games had come to an end.
“This will be the end of my 2024 Olympics”
In an emotional Instagram post, Lyles reflected on the unexpected turn of events, writing, “I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It is not the Olympic(s) I dreamed of but it has left me with so much joy in my heart.” Lyles’ positive test means he will be unable to join the U.S. team in their bid for gold in the 4x100m relay on Friday, a significant setback for Team USA.
Lyles competed despite illness
The 27-year-old American sprinter, who has a history of asthma, was seen wearing a surgical mask shortly before the 200m final on Thursday. However, there were no visible signs of illness when Lyles was introduced to the crowd, as he energetically took to the track, gesturing to rally the fans. In an interview with NBC, Lyles recounted the challenging moment he realized something was wrong.
“I woke up early, about 5:00 am on Tuesday morning and I was feeling really horrible,” Lyles said. “I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100 (meters). We woke up the doctors and we tested, and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for COVID.”
Despite the setback, Lyles expressed pride in his ability to compete under such difficult circumstances. “But to be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything,” he added. “Coming out and getting the bronze medal with COVID.”
Keeping the diagnosis private
Lyles revealed that he and his team chose to keep the diagnosis private to avoid causing unnecessary concern. “We tried to keep this as close to the chest. The only people who knew were the medical staff, my coach, my mom, my family. We didn’t want everybody to go into a panic,” Lyles explained. “We wanted them to be able to compete. And you don’t really want to tell your competitors you’re sick. Why would you give an edge over you?”
Team USA prioritizes health and safety
In response to Lyles’ positive test, USA Track and Field released a statement affirming their commitment to athlete safety. “US team officials enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors,” the statement read. “Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete,” the organization continued. “After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.” The statement also emphasized the organization’s adherence to stringent guidelines for respiratory illnesses to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among team members.