Noah Lyles’ unexpected bronze medal finish in the men’s 200m at the Paris Olympics was a major upset.
The reigning champion was outshined by Letsile Tebogo who not only clinched gold but also set a new African record with an impressive time of 19.46 seconds.
Kenny Bednarek secured the silver with a time of 19.62 seconds, while Lyles crossed the finish line in 19.70 seconds.
Despite the disappointment of not retaining his title, Lyles displayed commendable sportsmanship.
He publicly congratulated both Tebogo and Bednarek on their outstanding performances, highlighting their achievements. His graciousness in defeat has earned him further respect in the athletic community.
“First I want to thank God for getting me through this entire Olympics! Second I want to congratulate @tebogo_letsile_, @kenny_bednarek, and everyone else on an amazing Olympic 200m final,” Lyles wrote.
“Finally, I want to thank everyone for the supportive messages. I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics. It is not the Olympic I dreamed of but it has left me with so much Joy in my heart.”
Lyles also addressed the challenges he faced, revealing that he had tested positive for COVID-19 two days before the race. This illness affected his performance, as confirmed by the US Track and Field.
Tebogo’s victory marks a historic moment for African sprinting, as he shattered the previous African record and claimed Olympic gold.
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