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Noah Lyles after the men's 200m final. Alamy Stock Photo

Lyles tested positive for Covid two days before 200m bronze-medal run

The 100m champion was taken off the track in a wheelchair following the men’s 200m final.

OLYMPIC 100M CHAMPION Noah Lyles revealed he tested positive two days before finishing third to take bronze in Thursday’s 200m final.

Lyles, who had been bidding to complete a 100m-200m double in Paris, was taken off the track in a wheelchair following the race, won by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo.

The 27-year-old Lyles, who has suffered from asthma in the past, had been seen wearing a surgical mask shortly before Thursday’s 200m final.

However, there had been no sign of illness when the American was introduced to the crowd before the race, bounding onto the track and gesticulating with his arms to pump up the crowd.

In an interview with NBC, Lyles said: “I woke up early, about 5:00am on Tuesday morning and I was feeling really horrible.

“I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100 (metres). We woke up the doctors and we tested and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for Covid.”

Lyles later told reporters that his illness “definitely affected my performance”.

“But to be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything,” he added. “Coming out and getting the bronze medal with Covid.

“We tried to keep this as close to the chest. Only people who knew were the medical staff, my coach, my mom, my family. We didn’t want everybody to go into a panic.

“We wanted them to be able to compete. And you don’t really want to tell your competitors you’re sick. Why would you give an edge over you?”

USA Track and Field said in a statement that US team officials had “enacted all necessary protocols to prioritise his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors” following Lyles’ positive test on Tuesday.

“Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete,” the statement said.

“After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.

“As an organization, we are rigorously adhering to… guidelines for respiratory illnesses to prevent the spread of illness among team members, safeguarding their health and performance.”

– © AFP 2024

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Jan 27th 2025, 6:00 PM

    Could as easily play on Senior team and not look out of place…a serious talent!

    18
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    Mute Gary Galligan
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    Jan 27th 2025, 6:57 PM

    @Michael Murray: is gleeson or mcnabney just as good

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    Mute Niall Boyle
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    Jan 27th 2025, 6:57 PM

    @Michael Murray: a serious talent. It’s been a long time since England have a talent that I can’t stand, that’s how good he is!

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Jan 27th 2025, 7:02 PM

    @Niall Boyle: Ha!….yeah!!

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Jan 27th 2025, 7:04 PM

    @Gary Galligan: ….no….Pollock would walk straight onto any Irish Provincial side bar Leinster and would give JVDF a run for his money.

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:00 PM

    @Michael Murray: Absolutely. Could easily make a senior squad. The underage talent in the English game is frightening. Only France on a par. It’s a 2 horse race between the 2.

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:08 PM

    @Ray Ridge: ireland could have had a serious pack of usanov, walker, Smyth, spicer, corrigan, foy, Mccarthy, Murphy, which would have been very competitive v England & france

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:23 PM

    @munsterman: Not convinced by this spicer. Big man, yes, but out on his feet after 15 minutes blowing hard. If he can get in shape and work on his fitness and be more aggressive, then maybe.

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:29 PM

    @Ray Ridge: I saw him for leinster A and he was outstanding. He’s huge so he’s not going to be that agile or mobile. But in the scrum, maul and tight defence & carrying, he’s very very good. Decent passer too. I think leinster are gonna fast-track the guy

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:46 PM

    @munsterman: Well, he must have spent the past year working on his aerobic fitness. For he was panting like a dog after 15 minutes in the Under 20 championship last year.

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:51 PM

    @Ray Ridge: yea he looked lacking in conditioning then. We still missed him whenever he wasn’t on the field though. I’d imagine he’s well conditioned now though being in the academy. It’s hard to replace a 6’10, 135kg monster. Add to that a 6’5, 120kg no8 and a very very highly rated tighthead

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    Mute scott casey
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:06 PM

    @munsterman: who is the no 8 ur talking about? Also is niall Smyth (I assume that’s the tighthead) out for the tournament?

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:13 PM

    @scott casey: luke Murphy, started last yr when gleeson was out. I dunno how bad those 3 are injured. With a bit of luck they’ll all be back for the wc at least cos this is potentially a very talented u20 group

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    Mute Warren Conlon Grant
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:19 PM

    @Gary Galligan: First impressions are that this fella is gonna be busy. He’s very entertaining. Some generation this one coming through..

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    Mute scott casey
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:23 PM

    @munsterman: Really hope we get props from this years u20s that can kick on over the next few years. Casper Gabriel might be another player who might make the world cup if he gets his residency sorted. Could make for a very interesting u20 world cup campaign

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    Mute Warren Conlon Grant
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:28 PM

    @Ray Ridge: I’d put us with those two. Per budget, we’re getting the most bang. I’d say physically we’re up against it, but we’re the ones producing most full internationals from u20 imo. I’ll go look at stats…

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    Mute Harry O' Callaghan
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:39 PM

    @Michael Murray: He definitely wouldn’t. JVDF is the best in the world and is a master in that position. Pollock has had a good breakthrough season but often finds himself running sideways and holding onto the ball unnecessarily in crucial moments against average opposition. He’s a bit reckless and does the flashy stuff off the back of his teammates hard work. Brian Gleeson was similar when he played u20s, brilliant and obviously ones to watch out for but it’s an entirely different beast when you go up to professional level as Gleeson is finding out. It’s not as easy.

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:40 PM

    @scott casey: usanov is very promising. Emmett calvey too but he’s unfortunately injured aswell. And Smyth is very highly rated, went straight into the leinster academy from school which is pretty rare

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:44 PM

    @Harry O’ Callaghan: gleeson injured his shoulder with the u20s last summer and is only back a few weeks. From what I’ve seen he’s making the step up pretty easily & since he’s been back has featured in pretty much every munster 23

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:48 PM

    @munsterman: He went straight onto a senior deal as other provinces were sniffing about. Issue with that is the hype just grows. He ideally should be doing sub academy like any 18 yeat old kid, and learning how to lock a scrum. Big, big talent though. A shame he’s injured.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:54 PM

    @Ray Ridge: Well your comment just shows that you haven’t seen Spicer since last year and are ignorantly unaware of the long term plans being taken with him. They have him in S&C now, they didn’t last year due to his size, age and joint considerations. Ireland does not produce fellas of his height and bulk so Leinster and Ireland are taking a very long term planning view with his development. He probably won’t reach peak physical condition until at least 2 years. But of course that won’t cross your mind, and you’d prefer to just throw shade at a 19 year old kid. Grow up man.

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:56 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: yea it’s a shame. I’ve only seen a bit of him playing in a Blackrock game last yr that was on Premier I think. He looked a big unit. I don’t think jackman coming out and saying he’ll be the new furlong will do the lad any favours, let the young fella develop away

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jan 27th 2025, 10:21 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: No I haven’t seen him since last year. Can’t see everyone. Yes my comment was based on last year. Glad to hear he’s bit fitter. However, I’ll be the judge of that when and if we see him in the under 20 championships.

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    Mute Paul Ennis
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    Jan 28th 2025, 3:22 AM

    @scott casey: World Rugby have already decided that his residency had to commence again when he returned from Austria during COVID. I am not sure when that is but I would imagine he didn’t bother returning until school returned, which was September 2020 which make him intelligible until next years 6N.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 28th 2025, 8:44 AM

    @Ray Ridge: No, you won’t be the judge of that actually. You need to up your rugby IQ and watch more games baby.

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    Mute Justin Robinson
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    Jan 27th 2025, 7:18 PM

    The 6 has ten starts for Racing 92 this season and will be heading back to England in the next year or two.

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:01 PM

    Serious English pack. It’s a shame ireland are missing 3 of its biggest forwards in niall Smyth, Alan spicer and luke Murphy through injury. We’ll still have some very good forwards but might be a bit lightweight relatively for this one

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    Mute Sea Point
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:38 PM

    @munsterman: on a 3g pitch, being lightweight might work to our advantage as long as we’re tidy in possession…

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    Mute munsterman
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    Jan 27th 2025, 8:53 PM

    @Sea Point: yea we’re gonna have to be very slick and defensively sound. Disciplined too, any cheap pens & they’ll kick into our 22 & maul us to death

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:41 PM

    @Sea Point: And avoid scrums.

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    Mute Ciaran Kennedy
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    Jan 27th 2025, 7:17 PM

    Google tells me that Kryan Bracken does have a son called Jack. He’d be Irish eligible as his auld fella was born in Dublin.

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    Mute Paul Ennis
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    Jan 28th 2025, 3:27 AM

    @Ciaran Kennedy: Kyran has 2 sons and this Jack is one of them. Charlie is a little older (21) and plays scrum half – also for Saracens. It would be a great way to make up for the snub the IRFU gave Kyran at the beginning of his career as Ireland was always his first choice.

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    Mute John Ryan
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    Jan 27th 2025, 10:20 PM

    Gleeson is an exceptional back row prospect, at least as high a ceiling as pollack

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jan 27th 2025, 7:11 PM

    Could of easily been in the Scottish squad as well

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    Mute Dominic Gallagher
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    Jan 27th 2025, 9:21 PM

    Sensational player

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