Noah Lyles’ 200m race at the Paris Olympics was a spectacle fraught with tension and unexpected drama. Even before the starting gun fired, seasoned observers like Justin Gatlin noticed something off about the American star. Lyles, usually a force to be reckoned with, seemed to lack his usual fire. And when the race began, their concerns were confirmed. Despite vying for gold, Lyles fell short, finishing in third place as Lestile Tebogo claimed the top spot.

But it wasn’t the race itself that shocked the track community—it was what happened afterward. Collapsing flat on his back, Lyles struggled to catch his breath, a rare and unsettling sight for the typically vibrant sprinter. As he was helped off the field, Lyles dropped a bombshell: he had run the race despite testing positive for Covid-19. The 100m gold medalist admitted that he knew he was unwell but chose to compete anyway, pushing through the physical strain.

Gatlin and other experts, reflecting on Lyles’ demeanor before the race, noted that the signs of his struggle were evident. Lyles’ decision to run, despite knowing his condition, has sparked intense debate within the track and field world, raising questions about the pressures athletes face and the limits they’re willing to push in pursuit of glory. This race, with all its unexpected twists, has left an indelible mark on Lyles’ Olympic journey, casting a shadow over what might have been another golden moment.

Justin Gatlin analyzes Noah Lyles’ body language before the 200m finals

Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green recently sat down in an episode of the ‘Ready Set Go’ podcast to discuss everything that happened in Paris. During the course of their discussion, they stumbled upon the issue of Noah Lyles’ dismal 200m run. While the COVID announcement came later in the race, according to Gatlin, the red flags were all over Lyles as he came out to take his position. 

Gatlin stated that the 200m is a stronghold of Lyles. He can come out in his sleep and beat the best of the competitors. Unfortunately, in Paris, things seemed different. During his mandatory walk-ins, Lyles looked short on energy. Gatlin said, “As the days went on through the rounds he just didn’t look like himself. You know he didn’t have that same energy going into you know what I’m saying. The prelim semis and then the finals as well.” 

Gatlin further mentioned how Lyles stole the show in the 100m finals jumping up and down, riling up the crowd. But this was not the case in the 200m finals. Gatlin continued, “He came out there jumping and acting wild like he usually does it’s the look on his face the look on his face told me you are taxed you are tired you just had enough to show up and be the showman that we know you are and it was announced that he had covid.” 

While Lyles’ Paris campaign came to a saddening end, the track star mentioned that he was very proud of himself. Speaking about his illness, the Olympic gold medalist stated that after knowing about his COVID condition, the first thing he thought of was to not panic. The 27-year-old also stated that he was thankful to the medical staff who worked tirelessly to ensure his physical safety. Meanwhile, with the Paris Olympics done, Noah Lyles is now being accused of ‘faking’ his COVID-19. 

Gilbert Arenas accuses Noah Lyles of ‘faking’ covid

Former Washington Wizards athlete, Gilbert Arenas has launched a serious allegation against Noah Lyles. A video of Lyles enjoying at a nightclub recently circulated on the internet. Mocking him for faking his illness, Arenas stated, “[Lyles] was so strong on COVID that he tore out of his jersey… He didn’t tear his jersey during the race… What kind of COVID boost was that? Come on, Noah, man, take your bronze and keep it moving. We didn’t need to see that.”

The tension between Noah Lyles and the Team USA basketball team has taken yet another dramatic turn. It all began in 2023 when Lyles boldly questioned the NBA stars’ use of the “world champion” title, asking why they claimed global dominance when they were merely champions of America. Fast forward to Paris 2024, and it’s clear that the bitterness between Lyles and the NBA players hasn’t faded.

After Lyles clinched gold in Paris, Adidas, the brand that sponsors both Lyles and NBA star Anthony Edwards, decided to honor Edwards for his performances at the Olympics. They gifted him a custom shoe—a gesture that didn’t sit well with Lyles. Feeling slighted, Lyles expressed his frustration, saying, “You want to invite me to [an event for] a man who has not even been to an NBA Finals? In a sport that you don’t even care about? And you’re giving him a shoe?”

Lyles’ words have added fuel to an already simmering feud, raising questions about respect and recognition within the American sports world. With tensions running high, all eyes are now on how this rivalry will unfold in the future. Will it escalate into a full-blown clash, or will cooler heads prevail? The next chapter in this saga promises to be as compelling as the last.