Everything we know about Noah Lyles' COVID-19 diagnosis so far
Something was clearly wrong with Noah Lyles after this one
Noah Lyles seemed to be the favorite to win the 200-meter race at the Olympics this year, so when he placed third and won bronze in the final behind Kenny Bednarik (silver) and Letsile Tebogo (gold) it definitely raised a few eyebrows.
He may have lost the race regardless, considering how excellent Bednarik and Tebogo ran, but when Lyles fell to the ground immediately after finishing, it was clear something was wrong.
After the race, cameras caught Lyles breathing heavily. And shortly after that, he was also seen being wheeled out in a wheelchair with Olympic medical staff surrounding him.
As it turns out, Lyles has COVID.
After his bronze medal in the 200m, US Track and Field have confirmed Noah Lyles has Covid.#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/X878I5dPW9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 8, 2024
That certainly throws quite a wrench into things. Here’s everything we know about the track star’s diagnoses so far.
Wait, Noah Lyles has COVID-19?
Yes, apparently so. He was diagnosed with COVID two days ago. He confirmed his diagnosis with reporters after the race.
Noah Lyles confirmed he tested positive for COVID at 5am Tuesday morning Paris time. He “kept this close to the vest.” Didn’t want competitors to know he was sick. His mom, medical staff knew he had it. He quarantined at a hotel the last few nights. He was going to run regardless pic.twitter.com/ekIGhxmPvp
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) August 8, 2024
He said he kept it “close to the vest” and didn’t want competitors to know he was ill. The signs were there. Lyles had been wearing a mask and quarantining leading up to the race.
Noah wore a mask before his race pic.twitter.com/seqKzlHplq
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) August 8, 2024
How in the world was he still allowed to race?
Technically, there is no COVID protocol for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Athletes are not being barred from competing if they get the virus.
Chief medical officer of the Olympics, Jon Finnoff, said Team USA is following the CDC guidelines for all infectious disease protocols, USA Today’s Carrie McDonald reports.
If a Team USA athlete experiences symptoms of any kind, Finnoff reiterated the USOPC is “going to follow the CDC guidelines for all of infectious disease protocols.”
“It doesn’t mean [infected athletes] can’t train or compete,” Finnoff said. “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.”
Lyles isn’t the only athlete at the Games with COVID. At least 40 athletes have tested positive so far, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Well, is Lyles OK?
He definitely didn’t look it after the race. He immediately fell to the ground after the race and then was put in a wheelchair after.
Noah Lyles was gassed after the 200M final
Medical team came over to check on him after the race
pic.twitter.com/uVpjQ1y7Me
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 8, 2024
He addressed the media after, but the immediate aftermath of the race was certainly concerning.
Will Lyles be available for the 4×100?
The answer is probably not at this point. Lyles said after the race that he’s leaning toward not participating.
Noah Lyles provides an update on his condition after the 200m final. #ParisOlympics
NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/9Qs1vcBycf
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
“At the moment I don’t know. I’m feeling more on the side of letting Team USA do their thing. They’ve proven with great certainty that they can handle it without me. And if that’s the case coming off of today, I’m perfectly fine saying, ‘Hey, you guys go do your thing. ‘”
Sounds like a guy who knows he won’t be able to compete. We’ll see how he feels in a few days.
The most important thing is his health, though. So, hopefully, he feels better soon.