After the stunning photo finish in the men’s 100m at the Stade de France on August 5, all eyes were on Noah Lyles for a double gold at the Paris Olympics. His sprint quadruple has been the talk of the year! With his dazzling 200-meter personal best of 19.31 seconds—an American record that makes him the third-fastest of all time—and three world championships (2019, 2022, 2023) under his belt, the road looks bright ahead.

But in a jaw-dropping upset, it was Letsile Tebogo who stole the spotlight on August 8. The athlete from Botswana delivered a breathtaking performance to win the men’s 200-meter gold with an African record of 19.46. Kenny Bednarek of the USA clinched silver in 19.62, and Lyles, the pre-race favorite, ended up in third place with a time of 19.70.

And here’s the kicker—Noah Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 just hours before the race. ESPN’s Coley Harvey reported that Lyles confirmed he tested positive at 5 am Paris time and “kept this close to the vest.” He didn’t want competitors or the public to know he was sick. His mom and medical staff were aware, and he was quarantined in a hotel, but he was determined to race regardless. Noah Lyles spoke with NBC’s Lewis Johnson about the 200-meter finals and his recent COVID-19 diagnosis.

Lyles explained that he had woken up at 5 am on Tuesday feeling terrible. He said, “I woke up early about 5am Tuesday morning and was feeling really horrible and knew it was more than just being sore from the 100m. Woke up the doctors and we tested and unfortunately it came up that I was positive for COVID.”

Noah Lyles said that his initial reaction was not to panic, as he had faced worse situations and tougher conditions before. He noted that they took it day by day, focusing on hydration, isolating, and quarantining himself in his room. But that’s not all!

The 100-meter Olympic champion expressed pride in winning bronze to Lewis Johnson, contrasting it with his disappointment from the last Olympics: “And I’d definitely say it’s taken its toll for sure but I’ve never been more proud of myself for being able to come out here and getting a bronze medal where last Olympic I was very disappointed and this time I couldn’t be more proud.” When asked if he ever considered not running the 200-meter final, Lyles simply replied, “No. I didn’t.”

But despite his diagnosis, Lyles was seen mingling with competitors and even hugging Tebogo after the race—while in close contact with others and without a mask! It’s a striking reminder of the challenges athletes face and raises questions about health protocols in high-stakes events.

Even with asthma and COVID-19, Noah Lyles managed to compete and secure a bronze medal, which is impressive given the circumstances. However, his actions have sparked controversy, with some fans criticizing him as “selfish.” One fan on X remarked, “so irresponsible and incredibly selfish,” while another pointed out, “Didn’t want competitors to know, but competitors had a right to know for their own health and safety.”

It’s worth noting that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Track and Field released a joint statement, assuring that they “swiftly enacted all necessary protocols” to prioritize health and safety following Lyles’ positive test. They emphasized their commitment to “ensuring the safety of Team USA athletes” and adhering to guidelines to prevent illness spread.

According to USA Today, they emphasized, “Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete.” The statement highlighted that, after a thorough medical evaluation, Noah Lyles chose to compete, and they would continue to monitor his condition closely. They also stressed their adherence to guidelines to prevent illness spread. But what was even more troubling was how the race ended for Noah Lyles. So, what did he have to say about it?

Noah Lyles reveals why he kept his diagnosis under wraps!

Known for his dramatic finishes—roaring, tearing up his bib, and hyping up the crowd—Lyles took a surprising turn this time. After crossing the finish line in the men’s 200m, he collapsed on the track, which was way out of character for him. On the broadcast, you could see him slumping into a wheelchair, needing quick medical attention.

Although oxygen was ready, he didn’t seem to use it. Lyles shared, “I was quite light-headed after that race, (with) shortness of breath and chest pains. I was able to catch my breath and get my wits about me. I feel a lot better now.”

Even with his condition, he said he never seriously considered skipping the 200-meter final, only acknowledging that he wouldn’t have run if COVID-19 had kept him from qualifying. As for not informing his competitors or teammates, he simply said, “Why would you give them an edge over you?” So, what do you think about this whole situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!