Noah Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of 3rd-place finish in 200m
Scripps News Staff
Noah Lyles came up short in his quest to win the 200-meter gold at the Paris Olympics. Read about what happened after the race.
/apple-touch-icon.png
CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR
American sprinter Noah Lyles was denied a double sprinting gold at the Paris Olympics.

Lyles finished third in the 200-meter, behind Botswana's Leslie Tebogo and American Kenny Bednarek.

RELATED STORY | Olympic glory is not always golden

Lyles appeared to struggle on the homestretch, where he is known for taking control of a race.

Immediately after crossing the finish line, Lyles appeared to be in distress, asking for water and having trouble breathing. On the NBC broadcast, it was revealed Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 two days ago. There was speculation about whether Lyles was feeling 100% after he was seen wearing a mask before the race.

Lyles took the gold on Sunday in the 100-meter event, beating Jamaica's Kishane Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second.

RELATED STORY | Photo finish: Noah Lyles wins gold in men's 100-meter Olympic final

Lyles was the first American to win gold in the men's 100-meter sprint since 2004. He was attempting to be the first American to win gold in the 200-meter and the 100-meter in 40 years.

American Carl Lewis did it in 1984. Usain Bolt of Jamaica pulled off the double in 2012 and 2016.