What happened to Noah Lyles? Sprinter withdraws from Paris Olympics after 200m bronze win

PARIS, FRANCE: Noah Lyles' pursuit of an Olympic sprint double took a heartbreaking turn as he was down with Covid-19 just days before the men’s 200-meter final.

The world champion sprinter, who was vying to become the first American man to achieve the Olympic sprint double since Carl Lewis in 1984, woke up on Tuesday morning, August 6, with symptoms that immediately raised alarms, as reported by Sports.yahoo.com.

“I had a wicked sore throat, an aching body, and chills,” Lyles, 27, recounted. “Those are the symptoms I’ve always had right before getting Covid, so I was like, I need to test this one.”

Noah Lyles’ Covid setback leads to withdrawal from 2024 Paris Olympics

The test came back positive, sending Lyles into quarantine just two days before the crucial 200-meter final. Despite the diagnosis, Lyles never seriously considered withdrawing from the race. Determined to compete, he managed to advance to the final by pushing through his semifinal heat, finishing second.

However, it was clear during Thursday’s final that the world’s most dominant 200-meter runner was not at his best. From the start, Lyles struggled to keep pace, falling behind early and failing to close the gap as the race progressed. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo took gold with a personal-best time of 19.46 seconds, followed by American Kenny Bednarek in second. Lyles finished with a bronze medal, clocking in at 19.70 seconds—far from his personal best and his goal of breaking Usain Bolt’s world record.

“It definitely affected my performance,” Lyles admitted when asked about the impact of his illness.

His girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, had noticed him “coughing through the night,” and after the race, Lyles experienced lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. He received medical attention on the track and was eventually taken off in a wheelchair.

Reflecting on his Olympic journey, Lyles expressed disappointment but also gratitude. “I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics,” he wrote in a late-night Instagram post. “It is not the Olympic I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart.”

Lyles, who suffers from asthma, faced an uphill battle after his Covid-19 diagnosis. His dream of winning the 200 meters, his signature event, was derailed, and his aspirations of joining the US men’s 4x100-meter relay final on Friday now seem unlikely.

The sprinter’s Olympic campaign started on a high note with a thrilling victory in the men’s 100 meters, where he edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by a mere five-thousandths of a second. But the unexpected illness has cast a shadow over what could have been a historic achievement for Lyles.

Did Noah Lyles have Covid during his 200m race?

Immediately after securing an unexpected third place in the men's 200 meters at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night, Lyles disclosed to reporters that he had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier that Tuesday morning. Following the race, Lyles was seen breathing heavily, received medical care near the finish line, and was eventually wheeled off the track.

Who will take Noah Lyles' place for Team USA's 4x100m relay?

After Noah Lyles confirmed that his 2024 Paris Olympics campaign is likely over due to a Covid-19 diagnosis, it has opened a critical spot in Team USA's 4x100-meter relay team, which is scheduled to compete on Friday, August 9.

While Lyles was expected to be a key runner in the relay final, he did not participate in the heats to conserve energy for the 200 meters. The quartet that secured the fastest time in the heats—Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kyree King, and Courtney Lindsey—might be the team that will compete in the final without Lyles, as reported by USA TODAY.

However, Kenneth Bednarek, who recently won silver in the 200 meters, could also be a potential substitute if the coaches decide to adjust the lineup. Bednarek's experience and speed make him a strong candidate to replace Lyles, ensuring Team USA remains a top contender for the gold.

Despite his withdrawal, Lyles has expressed confidence in his teammates’ ability to perform well in the relay. Speaking to NBC, he mentioned, "They’ve proven with great certainty that they can handle it without me."

Lyles' support suggests that he believes the team has the depth and talent to secure the top spot on the podium, even in his absence.

Noah Lyles' fans rally behind him amid Covid diagnosis

Noah Lyles' unexpected withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a Covid-19 diagnosis has led to an outpouring of support from fans.

One user said, "CONGRATS on making the Paris Olympics exciting." 

Another wrote, "You made them watch!! No doubt your recovery will be fast." 

Fans praised his contributions to the sport with one saying: "Proud of you Noah!!!! And yesssirrr— you had everyone watching! You’ve brought so many eyes back to the sport!"

A user shared, "Class act so proud of you for making people believe in the power of sport, the power of perseverance, and the power manifesting your destiny."

Another supporter summed up the general sentiment with, "We proud of you mannn!! Heart of a champion."

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