On the track, American sprinter Noah Lyles finished third in the 200-meter final at the 2024 Olympic Games. Reports from BBC noted that after the race he left the stadium in a wheelchair following a positive COVID-19 test.
Observers described Lyles as unable to stand for an extended period immediately after crossing the finish line. He requested water from officials and was subsequently escorted out of the stadium, according to BBC coverage based on a statement from the United States Athletics Federation (USATF) (BBC).
BBC further cited USATF saying the athlete had tested positive for COVID-19 two days prior, yet chose not to withdraw from the final race. This decision came amid ongoing concerns about infection control and safety at large athletic events (BBC).
The 200-meter dash in the Olympic final saw Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo clinch the win with a time of 19.46 seconds. An American, Kenneth Bednarek, finished in second place with 19.62 seconds, while Lyles claimed third in 19.70 seconds (BBC).
In the broader context of the Games, the International Olympic Committee has taken steps to regulate participation by athletes from certain nations. By late February 2022, the IOC urged international federations to exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors. As the year progressed, the IOC allowed Russians and Belarusians to compete in the 2024 Games under a neutral banner, provided they met specific criteria and qualifications (IOC status updates, attributed).
Earlier in the cycle, Ukraine’s Olympic team faced restrictions unrelated to the Games themselves, highlighting the global complexities that affect eligibility and participation in international events. These developments underscore the balancing act between inclusivity and the integrity of competition, especially in a global field where geopolitical tensions can intersect with sport (IOC communications, national statements, and ongoing federation guidelines).