Noah Lyles Overcomes Illness to Secure Bronze at Paris Olympics

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — American sprinter Noah Lyles showcased remarkable resilience by clinching a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympics, despite battling a fever of approximately 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 Celsius). His coach, Lance Brauman, revealed that Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the final, making his performance all the more commendable. Lyles finished third behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and American teammate Kenneth Bednarek, clocking a time of 19.70 seconds. Brauman praised Lyles' achievement, comparing it to his gold medal win in the 100 meters earlier in the week. He emphasized the significance of the bronze medal, stating, “It’s hard to replace a gold medal in the 100 meters at the Olympic Games... that one was probably the most important medal.” Lyles, 27, accepted his bronze medal while wearing a protective mask, maintaining a respectful distance from his competitors during the celebration. Despite falling short of his ambitious goal to win three gold medals, akin to Usain Bolt's legendary performance, Lyles' journey in Paris has been unforgettable. Brauman expressed optimism for Lyles' future, noting that he is just entering his prime and will have more opportunities to achieve his Olympic dreams. “What he had to do to muscle out that medal, that’s going to be hard to forget,” Brauman remarked, highlighting the extraordinary effort Lyles put forth under challenging circumstances.