Skip to content

Botswana's Tebogo shocks with 200m gold, Lyles runs with COVID

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Botswana's Letsile Tebogo won Olympic gold in the men's 200m on Thursday, upsetting Americans Noah Lyles and Kenneth Bednarek.

The result earned Africa its first-ever gold medal in the 200m event at the Games. It's also the second time in two days that Tebogo beat Lyles, as the Boswanan topped the American in the event's semifinal.

Lyles, the 100m champion in Paris, settled for bronze, while Bednarek matched the silver he earned in the event at 2020 Tokyo. Lyles received a yellow card for improper conduct post-race after making a high-energy entrance into the stadium. A second yellow card would've resulted in an automatic disqualification from the event.

Lyles required medical attention after the race and left the track area in a wheelchair. NBC reported Thursday during its Olympic broadcast that Lyles tested positive for COVID on Tuesday. He had been seen wearing a mask on the track over the past few days.

Lyles, who was set to compete in the 4x100m relay final Friday, said on Instagram after the race that his Olympics are likely over.

"I want to thank everyone for the supportive messages," Lyles said. "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."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox