Noah Lyles Competed in the 200m Men’s Finals Race with COVID-19

Keisha Caine Bishop ran through Stade de France in panic looking for her son, Noah Lyles who had to be removed from the track in a wheelchair. Lyles won bronze in the 200m dash at the 2024 Paris Olympics but looked sick after.

NBC track and field reporter, Lewis Johnson was with her as they ran down to the track. Johnson gestured a wheelchair motion with his fingers towards a volunteer who pointed towards the medical center at the venue.

The 100m Olympic champion who has asthma was breathing abnormally heavy and required medical attention on the track.

A rumor started circulating that 27-year-old Lyles had COVID-19. Athletes from other events started expressing concern for Lyles and those who competed against Lyles’ in the 200m dash were clueless about the news.

“Noah? I didn’t know, wow,” Jasmine Jones who won fourth in the 400m hurdles said. “That’s crazy. Congratulations to him. He’s fantastic for that. That’s really impressive. Congratulations. Hats off. Yeah, wow, I didn’t know that.”

Later on, Noah Lyles spoke with a mask on and revealed that he had COVID-19 and that very few people knew that he had tested positive. The only people who knew were his family, doctor, and coaches.

“I was going to compete regardless,” said Lyles. “If I didn’t make it to the (200) finals, that would’ve been the sign not to compete.”

People were surprised about seeing Lyles show up for an interview after his publicist told the media that he wouldn’t be speaking to anyone.

“To be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything – coming out and getting a bronze medal with COVID,” Lyles said.

The other athletes who competed with Lyles didn’t seem bothered by the fact that he was competing with COVID.

The gold medalist of the race, Leslie Tebago from Botswana realized on Wednesday during the semi-finals run that something was off with Lyles.

“Not in his best shape,” Tebogo said. “He’s going through something.”

The reporter then revealed to him that Lyles had COVID.

“Who said that?” Tebogo replied.

“Lyles did,” the reporter said.

“I don’t think he put anybody at risk,” Tebogo said.

Kenny Bednarek, the silver medalist of the 200m final seemed the least concerned about the drama unfolding that night.

“From what I heard, he’s got something that went on. So, I don’t really know what’s going on with him,” said Bednarek. “I mean, I will probably talk to him after this to see if he’s OK, which I hope so. But yeah, like for me, I don’t really know. I’m kind of out of the loop.”

Despite learning this news, Bednarek hugged Lyles after the race.

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