Noah Lyles came up short in his quest for the 100-meter, 200-meter double at the Paris Olympics. He did get the bronze, but had been aiming to be the first American to win both in 40 years.
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo took the gold in 19.46 seconds, running away from American Kenny Bednarek — who took silver — and Lyles.
Lyles told NBC after the race he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, but chose to race anyway. His representative confirmed the diagnosis to ABC News.
Lyles was the favorite in the event, but ran only 19.70. He has a career-best of 19.31 — set at the world championships in 2022 — and a season best of 19.53.
Bronze medalist Noah Lyles of the U.S. receives medical attention after competing in the men’s 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aug 8, 2024.
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Bronze medalist Noah Lyles of the U.S. receives medical attention after competing in the men’s 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aug 8, 2024.
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Lyles looked extremely fatigued after the race and sat down on the track after the event. He was attended to by medical professionals and taken off the track in a wheelchair.
The 21-year-old Tebogo set a career-best time in the final as well as an African record.
Lyles also took bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
Usain Bolt is the last person to accomplish the 100 meters and 200 meters — in 2016 — when he did it for the third straight Olympics. Carl Lewis was the last American to win the 100 and 200 when he did the double at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
Letsile Tebogo of Botswana crosses the finish line to win the gold medal ahead of silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek of the U.S. and bronze medalist Noah Lyles of the U.S. in the men’s 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aug 8, 2024.
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Noah Lyles of U.S. after winning the bronze medal in the men’s 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aug 8, 2024.
Phil Noble/Reuters
Lyles won the 100 meters on Tuesday in a historically close race. He edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds.
Lyles was attempting to win three golds at the Paris Games by also winning in the 100-meter relay. Lewis is also the last person to win the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100-meter relay when he did it in 1984.
Letsile Tebogo of Botswana crosses the finish line to win the gold medal ahead of silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek of the U.S. and bronze medalist Noah Lyles of the U.S. in the men’s 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aug 8, 2024.
Marko Djurica/Reuters
Noah Lyles reacts after competing in the men’s 200m final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on Aug. 8, 2024.
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Following his win in the 100 meters, Lyles was asked how he felt about completing the triple.
“Pretty confident,” he said. “I can’t lie.”
Lyles was expected to run the anchor leg in the 4×100 relay, but that not seems in doubt. The final will be held Friday at 1:47 p.m. ET. He told NBC he wasn’t sure if he would run in the 100 meters, but was leaning toward not competing.
Noah Lyles, the American sprinter and reigning world champion in the 200 meter, recently made headlines after finishing with a bronze medal in the event at the Tokyo Olympics. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Lyles had been battling COVID-19 just weeks before the Games.
Lyles, who was considered one of the favorites to win gold in the 200 meter, tested positive for COVID-19 in July, forcing him to withdraw from the U.S. Olympic Trials. Despite this setback, Lyles remained determined to compete in Tokyo and make his mark on the world stage.
After recovering from the virus, Lyles returned to training and focused on regaining his strength and speed. His resilience and dedication paid off when he qualified for the Olympics and made it to the final of the 200 meter event.
In the final, Lyles faced tough competition from sprinters like Andre De Grasse of Canada and Kenneth Bednarek of the United States. Despite a strong performance, Lyles finished in third place, earning a bronze medal for Team USA.
Lyles’ bronze medal may not have been the gold he had hoped for, but it is a testament to his perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. His ability to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 and still compete at a high level is truly inspiring.
In a post-race interview, Lyles expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the Olympics and thanked his fans for their support throughout his journey. He also emphasized the importance of staying positive and focused on his goals, no matter what obstacles may come his way.
As Lyles looks ahead to future competitions, including the World Championships and the next Olympic Games, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of track and field. His bronze medal in Tokyo is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for this talented young athlete.
