By SAINT-DENIS, France — Noah Lyles said he competed in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night, and won a bronze medal, while fighting COVID-19.
Lyles confirmed the news to reporters in the mixed zone after he didn’t win the 200 meters, which has long been his signature event. While wearing a mask, Lyles said he tested positive in the early morning hours of Tuesday. He finished third in the race behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and Kenny Bednarek, his U.S. teammate.
“It definitely affected my performance,” Lyles said, adding that he’s “more proud of myself than anything, coming out and getting a bronze medal with COVID.”
In a joint statement released later Thursday, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Track and Field said they “swiftly enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors” following Lyles’ positive test.
“Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete,” the two entities said. “After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.
“As an organization, we are rigorously adhering to CDC, USOPC, and (International Olympic Committee) guidelines for respiratory illnesses to prevent the spread of illness among team members, safeguarding their health and performance.”
Lyles, who has a history of asthma, laid on the track almost immediately after crossing the finish line, which is atypical of how he usually acts after a race. He needed medical attention shortly thereafter and, on the broadcast, soon collapsed into a wheelchair. He was talking with medical aides, which had oxygen handy, but Lyles did not appear to take it. He was wheeled off the track.
The Paris Olympics have been touted as the first Games to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic, but the disease has continued to infect athletes and impact the proceedings. Media reports have documented dozens of cases during the Games, most notably British swimmer Adam Peaty.
Jonathan Finnoff, who is the USOPC’s chief medical officer, had previously said that U.S. athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory illness would be moved into their own rooms, to prevent the spread of the disease. But they would not be prohibited from training or competing.
“We’ll do that based on their symptoms and how they feel, but we do want to prevent (them) from infecting those around them, and we’ll also provide prophylaxis based on what is recommended by CDC guidelines,” Finnoff said.
This story is developing and more details will be added as they become available.
