The 2024 Paris Olympics are officially over for “the world’s fastest man” Noah Lyles.
“I think this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics,” Lyles, 27, said early Friday, in a post on Xthe platform formerly known as Twitter. “It wasn’t the Olympics I had dreamed of, but it left me with so much joy in my heart. I hope everyone enjoyed the show.”
Lyles first posted the message on Instagram on Thursday night, hours after the sprinter won bronze in the 200m final, a race from which he was wheeled out.
Two days before that, Lyles had tested positive for COVID, his mother confirmed to NBC.
“Yeah, I woke up early, like 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, and I felt really horrible,” Lyles said. “I knew it was more than just pain from the [100m race]. I was woken up by the doctor, we did some tests and unfortunately it turned out that I was COVID positive. My first reaction was not to panic, thinking: “I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve run in worse conditions.”
American sprinter Noah Lyles missed out on the Olympic double but won bronze in the men’s 200m for the second straight Olympics. Lyles, who suffers from asthma, ran the race despite testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Lyles was also reportedly given a yellow card for violating a technical rule before the start of the race. The official Olympic website did not mention the infraction in its race results.
Lyles was scheduled to compete in the men’s 4x100m relay on Friday, but will no longer compete. In addition to the bronze in the 200m, Lyles leaves the Olympics with a gold medal in the men’s 100m.
Read his full message below:
First of all, I want to thank God for helping me get through these Olympics! Secondly, I want to congratulate @LetsileTebogo3 @kenny_bednarek and everyone else for an incredible Olympic 200m final. Finally, I want to thank everyone for the messages of support. I think this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It wasn’t the Olympics I dreamed of, but it left me with so much joy in my heart. I hope everyone enjoyed the show. Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched, right?
See you next time
Sincerely, Your fastest man alive for the next 4 years!
Track and field events continue Friday at the Olympics, including the heptathlon and the men’s and women’s 4×400 relay finals.
How many Olympic athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 at the 2024 Olympics?
So far, at least 40 athletes have tested positive for COVID at the Paris Olympics, according to a report from the TODAY Show.
What are the COVID protocols at the 2024 Olympics?
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee told TODAY.com it has implemented the following protocols to reduce the risk of COVID among Team USA athletes:
“We implemented an infection prevention program before the Games (‘Don’t let a cold stop you from winning gold’) that encouraged athletes to wash their hands, wear face masks indoors while traveling from the United States to Paris, etc.
“If they have an infectious disease, we will provide them with the appropriate treatment/medication and provide them with a private room so they don’t have to worry about making their roommate sick.
“We will help them get around so they are not on a bus with other athletes and we will deliver their meals to them.
“We will make them wear a mask every time they are indoors and around other people.
“We will allow them to train and compete for as long as they feel able.”
The CDC released the following statement on its website regarding the 2024 Olympics:
“Mass gatherings are associated with particular health risks, including an increased risk of respiratory illnesses. If you plan to travel to Paris for these events, make sure you are up to date on your routine and recommended vaccinations, including for COVID-19.”
