Team USA track star Noah Lyles took home the bronze medal during the men's 200 meter race on Thursday night, as it later has been revealed that he was dealing with COVID-19 before competing.
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In his signature 200 m race, he ended up running a time of 19.70, which put him behind Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (19.46) and fellow U.S. teammate Kenny Bednarek (19.62). Upon finishing the race Lyles laid on the track, which differed from his usual high-spirited post race persona. That is to say, he then needed medical attention, as the broadcast showed the aid staffers putting him in a wheelchair.
While talking to reporters, the three-time Olympic medal winner said he tested positive for COVID-19 in the early morning hours of Tuesday, yet still opted to participate.
"I woke up early about 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning and I was just feeling really horrible, and I knew it was more than just being sore from the (100-meter race)," Lyles told reporters while wearing a mask. "I woke up the doctors and we tested, and unfortunately, it came out that I was positive for COVID."
With this in mind, Lyles said after hearing the news he knew he shouldn't panic, but instead prepare for the race.
"We just took it day-by-day trying to hydrate as much, quarantined off. I definitely say that it's taken its toll for sure," he said. "But I've never been more proud of myself for being able to come out here and getting a bronze medal where last Olympics I was very disappointed, and this time, I couldn't be more proud."
To point out, the 27-year-old previously won the men's 100 m race on Sunday night, with a 9.784 time that beat Jamaican Kishane Thompson by a mere .005 seconds (9.789). Unfortunately, as it appears in the days following this monumental moment, Lyles contracted the virus.
The World Health Organization has come out and stated that there have been at least 40 athletes who have tested positive for COVID so far at the Paris Games.
Related: NBA Players Still Have Not Forgotten U.S. Gold Medal Sprinter Noah Lyles' 'World Champs' Criticism
