Paris Olympics 2024: Letsile Tebogo wins 200m gold as Noah Lyles snares bronze amid COVID concern

Noah Lyles says he’s never been more proud of himself despite being upset in a dramatic 200m final, with the US track superstar leaving the track in a wheelchair after racing with COVID.

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo romped to an shock victory against Lyles, who earlier this week snatched the 100m crown and had dominated the world of 200m

Tebogo notched a time of 19.46 seconds to cruise to gold, leaving US duo Kenneth Bednarek (19.62s) and Lyles in his wake with a superb effort off the turn.

At just 21, Tebogo became the youngest winner of the event since Bobby Morrow in 1956.

But attention quickly turned to 100m champion Lyles, who required medical attention immediately after his bronze medal run as he sprawled out on the track.

Lyles remained on the ground for some time before departing Stade de France in a wheelchair.

The 27-year-old later confirmed he had been suffering from COVID in the days before the event, forcing him to don a face mask and isolate in his lead-up races.

“I woke up early about 5am on Tuesday morning and I was just feeling really horrible, and I knew it was more than just being sore (after the 100m final),” he said.

“I woke up the doctors and we tested, and unfortunately, it came out that I was positive for COVID.”

“My first thought was not to panic... I’m thinking I’ve been in worse situations. I’ve run with worse conditions, I felt.”

Lyles said he was thrilled with his effort given the difficult circumstances. The American stuck to his energetic pre-race routine, including leaping high into the air multiple times upon being introduced, but was unable to produce a late burst to threaten for the gold.

“We just took it day-by-day trying to hydrate as much (as possible), quarantined off,” he said.

“I definitely say that 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.”

He had been looking to join Usain Bolt as the only winners of the 100-200m double at an Olympics this century.

Tebogo was emotional after his victory as he paid tribute to his late mother, Seratiwa, who passed away in May.

“It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take on the field,” said Tebogo, who ran with his mother’s date of birth on both of his shoes.

“For me to take her, it gives me a lot of motivation. She’s watching up there, and she’s really, really happy.”

It came as Lyles’ compatriot Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone added to her Games legacy in Paris, smashing her own world record time of 50.65 seconds with a lightning 50.37s to romp to a gold medal.

McLaughlin-Levrone burnt off countrywoman Anna Cockrell on the turn, and now possesses the six fastest times in the history of the event. She had also raced to a world record with gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

Grant Holloway completed an eventful night on the track for the US, snaring gold in the men’s 100m hurdles final.

Australia’s Jess Hull continued her encouraging form ahead of a medal tilt in the 1500m final, running her second-fastest career time of 3:55.40 in the semifinal.