Noah Lyles in wheelchair

Noah Lyles, the American track star, was diagnosed with COVID-19 two days before competing in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics, where he won a bronze medal. Despite his illness, Lyles decided to race but struggled with his performance, finishing behind Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, who won gold with a time of 19.46 seconds. Lyles, who had just won gold in the 100 meters earlier in the week, appeared visibly affected by his condition, ultimately collapsing on the track and requiring a wheelchair to leave the arena. His mother confirmed the COVID diagnosis after the race, and Lyles himself later spoke about feeling unwell leading up to the event. The outcome was a significant disappointment for Lyles, who aimed to complete a historic sprint double, a feat not achieved by an American man since Carl Lewis. The episode has raised concerns regarding athlete health and performance amidst ongoing pandemic challenges.