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Noah Lyles enthusiastically celebrated the end of the Olympic Games at L’Arc Paris, a nightclub, on Sunday night, August 11, but soon ended up the subject of controversy because of his recent Covid-19 diagnosis.
The runner, 27, won a gold medal in the 100 meter dash and a bronze in the 200 meter dash at this year’s games, but soon after had to be escorted out of the arena in a wheelchair, which was later explained when he explained to NBC Sports that he’d been diagnosed with Covid-19 a few days before.
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Because of his illness, he also did not participate in the men’s 4-by-100 relay event, which he said via X was a disappointment. He maintained, however, that he was proud of the races he did run, writing, “It is not the Olympics I dreamed of but it has left me with so much Joy in my heart.”
Some sports fans were scandalized by Lyles’ decision to compete while infected with the virus. One wrote on X, “Irresponsible for you to perform while you have Covid. And you also hugged other athletes.” Fans’ frustration with Lyles escalated when he chose to go out and party when he could potentially still spread the virus. One X user doubted that Lyles even had Covid to begin with, writing, “Noah lyles didn’t have Covid when he won the 100 but suddenly did when he lost the 200 now he’s in the club dancing lmao im crying.”
Lyles posted a picture of a negative covid test on X with the caption, “Thank God I am covid-free” as an update on his condition. Many X users reacted with similar skepticism. “We knew all along that you never had Covid bro we are not dumb” opined one such user.
At L’Arc Paris, Lyles danced while wrapped in an American flag, looking happy and healthy. According to The Daily Mail, several other Olympians attended the festivities, including Simone Biles and 22-year-old French swimming champion Leon Marchand.
