UPDATE
3:59 PM PT — It sounds like Noah Lyles’ 2024 Olympics are officially over … despite being scheduled to run as part of the USA’s 4x100m relay team.
The 100m gold medalist made the announcement on Instagram, writing “I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics.”
The news comes after Noah finished third in the 200m race, and then revealed he’d tested positive for Covid on Tuesday.
Team USA track superstar Noah Lyles shockingly finished with a bronze medal in the 200-meter race at the 2024 Olympics … that is, until it was revealed he is currently battling Covid, but elected to participate in the event.
“I woke up early about 5 AM on Tuesday morning and was feeling really horrible,” Noah told NBC minutes after the race.
“I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100. Woke up the doctors and we tested and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for Covid. And my first thought was not to panic.”
Lyles, who then “quarantined off,” says he decided to go forward with the race … and while he may have normally been super disappointed with a third-place finish, that’s not the case given the circumstances.
“I’ve never been more proud of myself for being able to come out here and get a bronze medal where last Olympic I was very disappointed at this time, I couldn’t be more proud.”
Noah also said he never considered skipping the race.
The 27-year-old athlete set a lofty goal for himself heading into Paris … declaring he’d be the first American in 40 years — since Carl Lewis — to win BOTH the 100m and 200m sprints.
The much-anticipated race — which Noah was favored to win — went down minutes ago. Despite getting off to a decent start, Lyles appeared unable to find his stride, and never really gained ground on Letsile Tebogo, from Botswana, and USA’s Kenny Bednarek.
Many were puzzled by how Lyles just looked different … but now with his positive diagnosis, it makes much more sense.
Lyles — who sported a mask prior to the race — fell to the ground after crossing the finish line … and required wheelchair assistance.
Tebogo finished with a time of 19.46, and Kenny, 19.62. Lyles crossed the finish line in 19.70.
FYI, Lyles’ best time ever was 19.31 in 2022 … the third fastest time in the race’s history.
Of course, Lyles cleared what was thought of as the bigger hurdle last week when he won gold in the 100m race … a heat that was so close, broadcasters believed he’d actually finished in second place.
Initially, folks thought it would be a win for NBA players who felt slighted by Lyles’ famous “world champs” comment … but all things considered, this accomplishment is impressive as hell — so don’t expect anyone to dog it.
