At the Paris 2024 Olympics, August 8th brought excitement and anticipation as the men’s 200-meter final unfolded. Noah Lyles, already a gold medalist in the 100 meters, was the focus of attention as he aimed to achieve a rare double victory.
Noah Lyles Regretfully Secures Bronze Medal
Lyles came into the Olympics with high hopes, having earned both the 100m and 200m titles at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. His status as the fastest man in the world was reaffirmed in Paris when he won the 100 meters by a mere five-thousandths of a second over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, becoming the first American to win this event since Justin Gatlin in 2004. With that victory, Lyles was poised to attempt what no one had done since Usain Bolt—winning gold in both the 100m and 200m at the same Olympics.
However, the 200-meter final took an unexpected turn. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo won the race with a time of 19.46 seconds, making history as the first African to claim gold in the men’s 200 meters. Kenny Bednarek of the USA finished second in 19.62 seconds, while Lyles, despite his strong effort, placed third with a time of 19.70 seconds.
Results and Post-Race Reactions
The race results were as follows:
-
Letsile Tebogo (Botswana): 19.46
-
Kenny Bednarek (USA): 19.62
-
Noah Lyles (USA): 19.70
-
Erriyon Knighton (USA): 19.99
-
Alexander Ogando (Dominican Republic): 20.02
-
Tapiwanashe Makarawu (Zimbabwe): 20.10
-
Joseph Fahnbulleh (Liberia): 20.15
-
Makanakaishe Charamba (Zimbabwe): 20.53
After the race, Lyles appeared to be in discomfort and was later seen leaving the field in a wheelchair. The USA Track and Field Association confirmed to the BBC that Lyles had tested positive for COVID-19 before the race, though he chose not to publicly discuss his condition.
Despite the disappointment of not achieving a double gold, Lyles’ performance at the Paris Olympics remains noteworthy. His accomplishments have already secured his place among the sport’s greats, and at 27, he still has the opportunity to pursue further triumphs in his career.
