There might be no dash double for Noah Lyles.
The Olympic 100-meter champion was unable to win his first Olympic 200-meter gold medal, ending with a bronze medal behind fellow American Kenny Bednarek and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, whose 19.46-second gold medal efficiency makes him the fifth-fastest in historical past.
Historical past repeats itself for Lyles
Lyles is already one of many nice 200-meter runners in historical past and the third-fastest all-time, however the one factor he hasn’t gained is the Olympic gold medal. As the favourite in Tokyo, Lyles was overwhelmed by each Bednarek and gold medalist Andre De Grasse (who didn’t make this 12 months’s closing). It was solely the second time Lyles had misplaced a 200-meter closing since turning skilled after the US Olympic trials in 2016.
Lyles recognized with COVID-19 two days earlier than closing
In Wednesday’s semifinals, Lyles got here in second behind Tebogo in an uncharacteristic efficiency. LetsRun.com revealed on the time that Lyles “wouldn’t cease within the combined zone as he was being taken to medical.”
Following the ultimate, Lyles, who’s asthmatic, was mendacity on the monitor struggling to catch his breath and required medical consideration earlier than being taken off in a wheelchair.
In the course of the NBC broadcast, reporter Lewis Johnson informed viewers that Lyles was recognized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, which was a time off for Lyles in between 200-meter heats and semis. With restrictions not in place relating to a optimistic Covid check, Lyles opted to run anyway.
That is the second time Lyles has contracted the virus. Lyles had Covid simply previous to the 2023 US World Championship trials in Eugene.
“I’ve been sick since [the] New York [Grand Prix], I really acquired COVID,” Lyles informed reporters afterward. “I didn’t get cleared till Sunday and flew out Monday, so it’s been a wild week, a really wild week.”
Lyles completed third to make his first USA 100-meter crew on his strategy to pulling off the 100/200/4×100 triple gold within the World Championships in Budapest.
In an interview with Lewis Johnson, Lyles defined what occurred and the way he felt after the analysis.
“I wakened early on Tuesday morning and simply feeling actually horrible,” Lyles mentioned. “I knew it was greater than being sore from the 100. Awoke the medical doctors and we examined and sadly it got here up that I used to be optimistic for Covid.
“My first thought was to not panic. I’ve been in worse conditions and I’ve run with worse circumstances I felt. We simply took it day-to-day, attempting to hydrate as a lot and quarantine off. It’s taking it’s toll for positive however I’ve by no means been extra pleased with myself for with the ability to come out right here and getting a bronze medal, whereas final Olympics I used to be very upset. This time I couldn’t be extra proud.”
Lyles mentioned that he by no means thought-about withdrawing from the ultimate, however when it comes to operating the anchor leg of Friday’s 4×100 relay, it’s a distinct story.
“In the meanwhile I don’t know,” Lyles mentioned. “I’m feeling extra on the aspect of letting crew USA do their factor. They’ve confirmed with nice certainty that they will deal with it with out me. If that’s the case coming off right now, I’m completely superb saying ‘Hey, you guys go do your factor. You’ve acquired greater than sufficient velocity to get the gold medal.”
Historic, emotional win for Letsile Tebogo
It’s a monumental victory for Tebogo, who’s been competing with a heavy coronary heart for the reason that surprising passing of his mom again in Could. The 21-year-old has been the most effective sprinting prospects in current reminiscence. He holds the U20 world file within the 100 meters at 9.91 seconds and gained the silver within the 100 and bronze within the 200 finally 12 months’s Worlds.
With this win, Tebogo is the primary gold medalist for Botswana in Olympic historical past, in addition to the primary African Olympic champion within the 200 meters. There is no such thing as a doubt that he might be a chief rival of Lyles for years to come back in each sprints, and he’s pulled off one of many best 200-meter performances in historical past.
