Noah Lyles: I ran the 200m final after testing positive for COVID

Noah Lyles has revealed he ran in the 200m final three days after he tested positive for COVID.

The American came third in the race won by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo but Lyles, who won the 100m gold last week has recounted, via Olympics.com, his journey to the 200m final after his COVID diagnosis.

‘Yeah, I woke up early about 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning and, you know, I just was feeling really horrible and I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100. We tested and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for COVID.

‘My first thought was not to panic, and I was thinking I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve run with worse conditions I felt, and we just took it day by day and trying to hydrate as much quarantined off.

‘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, and getting a bronze medal where last Olympics, I was very disappointed.

‘This is by far the best I’ve felt out of the last 3 days. I still wouldn’t say I’m 100%, but I’d definitely say I’m closer to 90-95%. Honestly, that only works for one shot, I only have one load to blow and then I gotta settle down for a while. No, I was gonna compete regardless. If I didn’t make it to the finals, that would’ve been the sign not to,” he said.

On running for the USA in Friday’s 4x100m final, Lyles said he will let the coaches to decide his fate.

‘I’ll talk to the coaches, and I’ll be very honest and transparent with them. I’m gonna let them make the decision. I think no matter what happens this 4x100m team can handle anything and everything. I’ve been with them in practice, they are more than capable to come out with the win and even break as many records as they set their mind to,’ he said.