Even under the weather, Noah Lyles brought home another medal for Team USA.
After the 27-year-old finished in third place in the men’s 200-meter final, he dropped to the track where he appeared to be taking gasping breaths before lying on his back. Medics soon helped him off the track in a wheelchair, with a Paris Olympics spokesperson telling NBC News Noah had been unable to walk on his own following his efforts.
However, his mother Keisha Cane Bishop, who was cheering him on at the race, quickly gave insight into his condition, telling NBC Sports’ Lewis Johnson that her son had been diagnosed with COVID-19 two days before his final.
The Team USA star—who has already won a gold medal in the men’s 100-meter race—later spoke to his health.
“I woke up early, about 5am on Tuesday morning,” he told Lewis during the broadcast through a mask, “and I was just feeling really horrible and I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100. Woke up the doctors and we tested, and unfortunately it came up that it was positive for COVID.”
But despite the diagnosis, Noah—who had been seeking gold in both the 100m race and 200m race—kept his head in the game.
“My first thought was not to panic, thinking, ‘I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve run with worse conditions,’” he explained. “And we just took it day by day, trying to hydrate, quarantined off, and I can 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 Olympics I was very disappointed and this time I couldn’t be more proud.”
And on whether it ever occurred to him to not run the 200 final, Noah gave an emphatic no.
The world champion also spoke to his future at this year’s Games: he is currently set to compete as part of the men’s 4x100m relay (a team consisting of Christian Coleman, Courtney Lindsey, Kyree King and Fred Kerley won their first heat earlier in the day before Noah’s 200).
“At this point, I don’t know,” he confessed, with the final heat scheduled for August 9. “I’m feeling more on the side of letting Team USA do their thing. They’ve proven with great certainty that they can handle it without me. And if that’s the case, coming off today, I’m perfectly fine saying, ‘Hey, you guys have more than enough speed to be able to get the gold medal.’”
Ultimately, when it came to the 200-meter final, Noah was bested by Team USA’s Kenny Bednarek, who took home the silver medal, and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana who earned gold.
And not only did Letslie become the first athlete from Africa to win in the event, but his victory was also made all the more special as his run was dedicated to his mother, who recently passed away.
For more unforgettable moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics, keep reading.
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
LeBron James and Steph Curry were definitely feeling it after the USA men's basketball team beat Serbia to advance to the finals.
2 Become 1
Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya from Team China were clearly working together during the women's canoe double 500-meter semifinal.
Come On, Gold!
Team USA's Sha'carri Richardson picked up her first gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay.
A Most Iconic Duo
Everyone's favorite BFFs Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart hitched a ride on a golf cart.
High Kicks
Team China's Liang Yushuai gave folks a new photo pose to try next time they visit the Eiffel Tower.
Careful With the Bike!
Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen was very enthusiastic about nabbing a second gold medal.
Shock and Awe
Emma Roberts couldn't believe what she was seeing during the men's semi-final basketball match between the USA and Serbia.
Chomping On the Gold
Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team USA went for the customary biting of the medal after winning gold in the women's long jump.
Don't Lose Your Shirt
Sergio Camello of Spain found his own way to celebrate after scoring his fifth goal against France.
A Trip to Sesame Street
Elmo loves getting hugs from Simone Biles.
Tuck It In
Emilia Nilsson Garip of Sweden dove into the water during the women's 3 meters springboard final.
A Slam Dunk
Gabrielle Union was cheering on Team USA as they went head-to-head with Serbia in the men's basketball semi-final match.
Nothing Left For Them To Do But Dance
Team Spain got into the groove during the rhythmic gymnastics competition.
Royal Onlookers
Ben-Sylvester Strautmann, Alexandra de Hanovre, Prince Albert of Monaco and Alain Bernard cheer while at the Men's Team Bronze medal match.
Double the Fun
Paulina Paszek and Jule Marie Hake of Team Germany celebrate earning third place in the Women's kayak double 500m final.
Zoom In
Carmelo Anthony wanted to remember the moment as he and son Kiyan Anthony watched Team USA beat Serbia in men's basketball.
A Queen
Team USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone celebrated after breaking her own record and winning gold in the women's 400m hurdles final.
Twisting Every Which Way
Elzhana Taniyeva of Kazakhstan showed off her very impressive range at the rhythmic gymnastics Individual all round.
Parisian Pride
One fan really wanted everyone to know which country he was rooting for.
Go, Dad, Go
Bronny James cheered on father LeBron James as Team USA took on Serbia in the Men's basketball semifinals competition.
Quick Break
Noah Lyles of Team USA needed a second after competing in the men's 200m final.
Not the Face!
Great Britain's Bradly Sinden tried to protect the goods during the Men's Taekwondo 68kg quarterfinals.
Dance It Out
Italy's Milena Baldassarri put on quite the show during the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around competition.
Yee-Haw!
Tara David-Woodhall pulled out the cowboy hat after winning gold in women's long jump competition.
Flying Through the Air
Team USA's Tom Schaar put on quite the aerial display while competing in the men's park skateboarding final.
Go Team!
USA's water polo team was full of excitement as they beat Australia and advanced to the semifinals.
Going for the Ball
The game was heated as the USA took on Nigeria in the women's quarterfinal basketball match.
One Final Hurdle
Grant Holloway repped the USA after winning the gold medal in the Men's 110m hurdles final.
Do You Even Lift?
Venezuela's Katherin Echandia Zarate showed that she never skips arm day during the weightlifting competition.
An Unfortuante Spill
Michelle Jenneke of Australia didn't quite clear her hurdle in her Women's 100m heat.