Noah Lyles has become one of the most high-profile athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics to test positive for COVID-19.
Despite his diagnosis, Lyles was determined to compete, and his story has captured global attention.
Noah Lyles Diagnosed With COVID At Paris Olympics
Noah Lyles’ COVID-19 diagnosis was first reported by NBC two days ago and later confirmed by the 27-year-old sprinter himself.
The news came after Noah, who had just secured a gold medal in the 100-meter race on Sunday, finished third in the 200-meter final.
LETSILE TEBOGO WINS THE MEN’S 200M FOR BOTSWANA! 🇧🇼 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/jL9jm4bTKZ
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
While he had been a strong contender for a sprint double, Lyles’ performance on Thursday showed signs of struggle.
He finished the race with a bronze medal and had difficulty leaving the track, ultimately needing a wheelchair to exit the stadium.
USA Track & Field released a statement saying, “After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.”
The organization emphasized that they are strictly following CDC, USOPC, and IOC guidelines to prevent the spread of illness among team members, ensuring their health and performance remain top priorities.
The Paris 2024 Games stand in stark contrast to previous Olympics, where strict COVID protocols were in place.
Unlike the Tokyo Games, which were postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, or the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, which saw frequent testing and stringent health measures, the Paris Games are operating without any lingering protocols.
This time, athletes and teams are responsible for monitoring their health and responding to any issues that arise.
Noah Lyles, who suffers from asthma, took additional precautions by boosting his hydration and voluntarily quarantining to prevent the virus from spreading to his teammates.
He was seen wearing a mask for two days following his diagnosis but never considered withdrawing from the 200-meter race.
However, Lyles is now contemplating sitting out of the 4×100-meter relay final on Friday.
Scientific American reported that at least 19 athletes in Paris have tested positive for COVID-19, with many cases among those competing in aquatic sports.
Australian swimmers Lani Pallister and Zac Stubblety-Cook, along with Great Britain’s Adam Peaty, are among those affected.
Some athletes have withdrawn from their events, while German decathlete Manuel Ertel is the only one to have left the Games entirely.
A recent study on German athletes found that elite athletes generally experience milder COVID infections than non-elite athletes, but symptoms can linger for several weeks.
Noah Lyles recounted how he woke up at 5 a.m. on Tuesday feeling unwell and immediately called for medical assistance.
He was tested for COVID-19 but remained calm, stating, “My first thought was not to panic. I’ve run with worse conditions, I felt.”
Social Media Reactions
As the news of Noah’s diagnosis spreads online, many have taken to Twitter to share their reactions.
Read a few tweets below.
After the news of his COVID-19 diagnosis was made public, Noah Lyles took to social media to announce his departure from the Paris Olympics.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
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