Sprinter Noah Lyles Says He Was Afraid He Might Infect Teammates With Covid-19 During Paris Olympics

U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles claimed a bronze medal in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics, despite battling a Covid-19 infection in the days leading up to the event.

Lyles, considered the favorite to win gold in the 200m, revealed that he had tested positive for Covid-19 just two days before the final on August 8. The sprinter was moved to a separate hotel and was under constant medical supervision, with a doctor checking on him “every hour” as he fought the illness.

Despite the challenges, Lyles and his team consulted with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and were given the green light to compete in the final, as long as he remained in quarantine beforehand. Lyles ultimately decided to participate, a decision he says was driven by his desire to overcome yet another obstacle in his illustrious career.

“Even catching Covid, it’s like, ‘Ok, I’ve gone through asthma and sickness throughout my whole career. This is just another day in the life of Noah Lyles, essentially,'” the sprinter told Today. “Trying to fight through another hurdle to get over.”

During the medal ceremony, Lyles was visibly cautious, standing far away from the other medalists, a stark contrast to the close embraces he shared with fellow competitors following the 100-meter final. The sprinter admitted that he was concerned about potentially spreading the virus to the older individuals handing out the medals or to the other athletes.

“I wanted to get my medal, but we were very wary of not interfering with – because these are older people who are giving me the medals,” Lyles said. “We asked the IOC if they were ok with it, anybody who was presenting. Even the other athletes that were getting their medals, we wanted to make sure that they were aware, that they felt comfortable with me even showing up.”

Despite the precautions, Lyles was still seen hugging gold medalist Letsile Tebogo and his Team USA teammate Kenny Bednarek after the race. His coach later revealed that the sprinter had battled a 102-degree fever in the days leading up to the final.

Lyles’ bronze medal performance was a testament to his determination and resilience, as he overcame a significant health challenge to claim a spot on the podium. However, his decision to withdraw from the 4×100-meter relay event due to his health concerns highlights the seriousness of his Covid-19 infection.