Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles’ hopes of a 100m-200m double in Paris were dashed after he tested positive for COVID-19 two days before the 200m final. Lyles, who finished third in the 200m final, was taken off the track in a wheelchair following the race.
In an Instagram post, Lyles expressed his disappointment, stating, “I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics.” He added, “It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart.”
Lyles’ positive test means he will not participate in the 4x100m relay on Friday. The 27-year-old American, who has a history of asthma, was seen wearing a surgical mask before the 200m final.
In an interview with NBC, Lyles revealed that he woke up feeling unwell on Tuesday morning. “I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100 (meters),” he said. “We tested and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for COVID.”
Lyles admitted that his illness “definitely affected my performance,” but expressed pride in his bronze medal finish. “We tried to keep this as close to the chest as possible,” he said. “We didn’t want everybody to go into a panic.”
USA Track and Field released a statement confirming Lyles’ positive test and stating that they had “enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors.”
