Will Team USA track star Noah Lyles continue at 2024 Olympics in Paris after covid-19 diagnosis?
After winning the 100m race, the American was disappointing in the 200m, however, it appears he had a valid reason, one which ended his time in Paris.
There have been many questions surrounding Noah Lyles’ manner and performance following his gold medal victory in the 100m finals of the Olympics. Indeed, debate has been intense about his declaration of a covid-19 diagnosis, whether he should have been allowed to compete by the IOC, and even whether it was simply all a ploy to sugarcoat the fact that he placed third. Nonetheless, the American has decided to head home which to be fair, is an honorable thing to do.
Noah Lyles brings his Paris 2024 campaign to an end
There was some degree of surprise following the finish of the Olympic men’s 200-meter dash on Thursday in Paris when Team USA’s Noah Lyles finished third to take the bronze medal. This after all is the same athlete that won the gold medal in the 100-meter race just days earlier. There was even more cause for concern when Lyles was seen leaving the track in a wheelchair. Of course, it was later revealed that the 27-year-old was suffering from covid-19, a diagnosis that left some fans crying foul i.e., implying that Lyles simply covered up a disappointing run with a plausible excuse.
There were also those who placed focus on the IOC’s protocols, criticizing the idea that Lyles was allowed to participate if his condition was what it was said to be. Regardless, both sides will no longer have fuel for the fire as Lyles himself has decided to head back home. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, the American announced that he would not continue at the Summer Games. “I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics,” Lyles wrote. “It is not the (Olympics) I dreamed of but it has left me with so much joy in my heart. I hope everyone enjoyed the show.”
With that, the Florida native leaves Paris with two medals, gold in the 100 meters and bronze in the 200. What it also means is that Team USA will face the 4x100-meter relay, an event that Lyles was widely expected to participate in, without him. The race is set for Friday evening. Lyles’ announcement brings the curtain down on what was an entertaining if not excellent Olympic run, something he spoke directly to in a parting message as he congratulated 200-meter gold and silver medalists — Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and countryman Kenny Bednarek, respectively. “Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched, didn’t you?” Lyles wrote.