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Noah Lyles reveals how his Olympic Village popularity made avoiding crowds difficult, possibly leading to his COVID-19 diagnosis before the 200m final.
Triple world champion Noah Lyles has opened up about his experience at the Paris Olympics, where he not only faced stiff competition on the track but also dealt with the challenges of being one of the most recognized athletes in the Olympic Village.
The American sprinter, who won his debut Olympic gold in the 100m, later revealed that his 200m performance was affected by an unexpected battle with COVID-19.
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Despite his attempts to stay cautious, Lyles admitted that being a high-profile athlete meant constant interactions, making it nearly impossible to avoid contact with fans, fellow athletes, and media personnel.
“The crazier part is how much I wasn't interacting with people. I was constantly trying to put myself in situations where I wasn't around people. I was basically the hottest thing walking around. Everybody wanted to talk to me. I couldn't take two feet without somebody stopping me, trying to take a picture. Or when I was moving around, crowds were forming,” Lyles shared in a recent interview with Toure on his podcast.
Lyles had a remarkable Olympic campaign, claiming gold in the 100m final by the slimmest of margins.
He finished just five-thousandths of a second behind Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson, making history as he secured his first-ever Olympic title.
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However, his attempt to achieve the prestigious Olympic sprint double fell short when he settled for bronze in the 200m.
It was later revealed that Lyles was running the 200m final while infected with COVID-19. Despite his deteriorating health, he managed to clinch third place behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and fellow American Kenny Bednarek before collapsing on the track post-race.
"I've never been more proud of myself for being able to come out here and getting a bronze medal. Last Olympics I was very disappointed [in bronze]... and this time I couldn't be more proud," Lyles said in a post-race interview.
Lyles' dominance in track and field has only grown stronger over the years. At the 2023 World Championships, he solidified his place among the sport’s greats by completing a golden triple—winning both the 100m and 200m, and anchoring the U.S. 4x100m relay team to victory.
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His third 200m world title placed him second only to the legendary Usain Bolt, surpassing the likes of Calvin Smith and Michael Johnson.
Following his challenging Olympic campaign, Lyles was ruled out of the remainder of the 2024 season to focus on recovery.
However, he remained in the spotlight, making event appearances and celebrating personal milestones.
The sprinter recently announced his engagement to fellow track star Junelle Bromfield and shared his excitement about purchasing a new home.
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