2024 Olympics: Runner Noah Lyles Exits Race in Wheelchair After Winning Bronze With COVID Diagnosis

Even under the weather, Noah Lyles brought home another medal for Team USA.

After the 27-year-old finished in third place in the men’s 200-meter final, he dropped to the track where he appeared to be taking gasping breaths before lying on his back. Medics soon helped him off the track in a wheelchair, with a Paris Olympics spokesperson telling NBC News Noah had been unable to walk on his own following his efforts.

However, his mother Keisha Cane Bishop, who was cheering him on at the race, quickly gave insight into his condition, telling NBC Sports’ Lewis Johnson that her son had been diagnosed with COVID-19 two days before his final.

The Team USA star—who has already won a gold medal in the men’s 100-meter race—later spoke to his health.

“I woke up early, about 5am on Tuesday morning,” he told Lewis during the broadcast through a mask, “and I was just feeling really horrible and I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100. Woke up the doctors and we tested, and unfortunately it came up that it was positive for COVID.”

But despite the diagnosis, Noah—who had been seeking gold in both the 100m race and 200m race—kept his head in the game.

“My first thought was not to panic, thinking, ‘I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve run with worse conditions,’” he explained. “And we just took it day by day, trying to hydrate, quarantined off, and I can definitely say 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, where last Olympics I was very disappointed and this time I couldn’t be more proud.”

And on whether it ever occurred to him to not run the 200 final, Noah gave an emphatic no.

The world champion also spoke to his future at this year’s Games: he is currently set to compete as part of the men’s 4x100m relay (a team consisting of Christian Coleman, Courtney Lindsey, Kyree King and Fred Kerley won their first heat earlier in the day before Noah’s 200).

“At this point, I don’t know,” he confessed, with the final heat scheduled for August 9. “I’m feeling more on the side of letting Team USA do their thing. They’ve proven with great certainty that they can handle it without me. And if that’s the case, coming off today, I’m perfectly fine saying, ‘Hey, you guys have more than enough speed to be able to get the gold medal.’”

Ultimately, when it came to the 200-meter final, Noah was bested by Team USA’s Kenny Bednarek, who took home the silver medal, and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana who earned gold.

And not only did Letslie become the first athlete from Africa to win in the event, but his victory was also made all the more special as his run was dedicated to his mother, who recently passed away.

For more unforgettable moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics, keep reading. 

Team USA's Tom Schaar put on quite the aerial display while competing in the men's park skateboarding final.

USA's water polo team was full of excitement as they beat Australia and advanced to the semifinals. 

The game was heated as the USA took on Nigeria in the women's quarterfinal basketball match.

Venezuela's Katherin Echandia Zarate showed that she never skips arm day during the weightlifting competition.

Michelle Jenneke of Australia didn't quite clear her hurdle in her Women's 100m heat.

In the women's steeplechase, Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia hits the water. 

Track cycling speed and pursuit day athletes looked futuristic in their helmets. 

Elmo loves getting hugs from Simone Biles.

Turns out Team France can see you from every angle during the artistic swimming competition.

Snoop Dogg was busy munching away as he caught the men’s basketball quarterfinals match between the USA and Brazil.

The Netherlands Roy van den Berg celebrated his gold medal for cycling with his family.

Team Mexico flew through the air as they competed in artistic swimming. 

Jamaica's Janieve Russell brought the good vibes while preparing for her 400m hurdle event. 

USA's Sophia Smith celebrated with her teammates after scoring a key goal in extra time during the women's semifinal match against Germany. 

Team France proved participating in the Olympics isn't as simple as riding a bike as they competed in the men's team pursuit.

Sweden's Armand Duplantis set a new world record in men's pole vault. 

Julien Alfred brought home Saint Lucia's first medal when she won the 100m. 

Cookie Monster looks a little too interested in taking a bite out of Team USA swimmer Katie Ledecky's Olympic medals.

Team Italy showed off their dance skills during the artistic swimming competition.

The athletes participating in the men's Kayak Cross of the Canoeing Slalom competition dropped into the water. 

Noah Lyles officially became the fastest man in the world when he narrowly won the men's 100m final.

Katie Ledecky had to hold on tight to her medals so Cookie Monster didn't gobble them up. 

Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade and Jordan Chiles posed with their individual floor final medals. 

France and Egypt facecd off in the fencing quarterfinals. 

Elmo's got a t-rex, a go fish card and a selfie with Olympians Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles.

France's Felix Lebrun was extra careful while serving during table tennis.

Team Germany's Leo Neugebauer landed hard during the long jump.

Olivier Perreau of France didn't exactly jump over the actual Eiffel Tower, but close enough.

The women of the 500m race were going so fast, you could barely see their legs moving.

BMX bikers head straight for the cameras during the semifinal race.