USA sprinter Noah Lyles had to be carted off after being stunned by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo in the 200-meter finals race on Thursday night.
After claiming Olympic gold in the men’s 100-meter race, Noah Lyles attempted to double down with a second victory in the 200-meter race. But Tebogo pulled off the shocking upset to win gold, with Kenny Bednarek of the United States taking silver.
Cameron Tabatabaie of USA Today shared a two-second clip of a visibly exhausted Lyles having to be carted off following the race. It wasn’t immediately clear if Lyles suffered an injury or was experiencing an asthma episode.
Noah Lyles was just carted off after the men’s 200m
He was able to get into the chair under his own power, unclear if he was injured or having an asthma episode pic.twitter.com/zPpK8CDApz
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) August 8, 2024
Soon after, it was reported by both NBC and BBC that Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 two days ago, and that the 27-year-old decided to run anyway. Lyles was also spotted wearing a mask before the race:
Some are speculating that Lyles has Covid, as he was seen wearing a mask before the race. pic.twitter.com/FFh8qToOOa
— Guru (@DrGuru_) August 8, 2024
Fans on X/Twitter weren’t so sympathetic, however. They decided to poke fun at Lyles while questioning his decision to run despite dealing with COVID-19:
His injury is just embarrassment.
— K Kevster (@kkevster) August 8, 2024
i’d fake an injury if i was him too.
— Caleb (@flintsmashley) August 8, 2024
Lmao. All that jumping around he was doing before the race started, now he “needs” a cart. Please.
— Sofian (@LamarM29122019) August 8, 2024
Broken Heart
— WoodLynn210 (@WooLynn2106752) August 8, 2024
Or needing a reason that he didn’t get gold after all his bragging
— Jules (@fitswimmer09) August 8, 2024
Milking the attention. Making excuses. He seemed fine during his dance routine before the race pic.twitter.com/sOp7KJzpye
— Sashimi Popsicle 🦦 (@icythein) August 8, 2024
Not carted off like a box of groceries
— Mc-Aldon Owusu Binney™️🇦🇺🇬🇭 (@AldonBinney) August 8, 2024
Lyles also captured a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Canadian Andre De Grasse claimed first on the podium, with Lyles’ fellow American Kenneth Bednarek finishing second.
Stunning 200-Meter Defeat Doesn’t Hurt Noah Lyles’ Legacy
Lyles’ loss is unquestionably one of the more shocking moments of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. But it doesn’t diminish his legacy as one of the all-time great runners and American athletes.
He already won his first Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter race, to say nothing of his three world championships and other first-place finishes in the World Relays and Diamond League.
Lyles will be 31 years of age by the time the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California roll around. Only time will tell if the American legend will get the chance to redeem himself with additional Olympic gold then.
