Noah Lyles’ 2024 Paris Olympics journey is over.
The athlete announced via Instagram that he will bow out of competing in further events after placing third in the 200m men’s final on Thursday, August 8. Lyles, 27, competed in Thursday’s race just two days after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to be escorted off the track in a wheelchair.
“First I want to thank God for getting me through this entire Olympics! Second I want to congratulate @tebogo_letsile_ , @kenny_bednarek and everyone else on an amazing Olympic 200m final,” Lyles captioned a photo of him during Thursday’s race. He congratulated Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who won gold, and fellow Team USA track and field athlete Kenny Bednarek, who took home silver.
“Finally I want to thank everyone for the supportive messages. I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It is not the Olympic [sic] I dreamed of but it has left me with so much Joy in my heart,” Lyles continued.
“I hope everyone enjoyed the show. Whether you were rooting for me or against me, you have to admit you watched, didn’t you?” he concluded.
Before his withdrawal from competition, Lyles had hoped to compete in the men’s 4×100 relay final on Friday, August 9.
Lyle, who won the 100m men’s final on Sunday, August 4, told NBC News that his COVID diagnosis “definitely affected my performance.”
“But I mean, to be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything coming out and get the bronze medal with COVID in three days. It’s been a wild Olympics,” he said.
Lyles said he intentionally withheld his diagnosis from his fellow competitors, telling NBC News, “We were trying to keep this as close to the chest as possible. You never want to tell your competitors you’re sick. Why would you give them an edge over you?”
USA Track & Field said in a statement, “Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete. After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and continue to monitor his condition closely.”
