Letsile Tebogo Stuns with 200m Gold as Noah Lyles Falls Short of Sprint Double

Botswana's Tebogo Claims First Olympic Gold, Lyles Struggles with Covid Impact

In a surprising turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo secured the gold medal in the men's 200m, denying Noah Lyles the chance to achieve a historic sprint double. Tebogo, 21, delivered a remarkable performance to clock an African record of 19.46 seconds, outpacing American Kenneth Bednarek, who finished in 19.62 seconds.

Lyles, the reigning world champion and newly crowned 100m gold medalist, was unable to replicate his earlier success in the 200m final. He crossed the finish line in 19.70 seconds, matching his bronze medal performance from the Tokyo 2020 Games. It was later revealed that Lyles had tested positive for Covid-19, which significantly affected his performance. The 27-year-old was seen being helped off the track in a wheelchair, struggling with the effects of the virus.

Tebogo's victory was a standout moment of his career, marking his first Olympic appearance with a gold medal. The young sprinter, who had previously won bronze at the World Championships and silver in the 100m in Budapest last year, achieved an African record time and delivered Botswana's first-ever Olympic gold medal. His 200m personal best of 19.50 seconds, though slightly slower than Lyles' 19.31, proved sufficient for a historic triumph.

Lyles, who had generated immense excitement with his dramatic entrance and was favored to complete the 100m and 200m double for the first time since Usain Bolt's feat in 2016, struggled with a slow start. He remained in third place throughout the race, unable to challenge Tebogo’s blistering pace.

Bednarek, who secured silver, replicated his achievements from the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships but could not surpass Tebogo. The final standings saw Tebogo emerge as a new star in the sprinting world, with Lyles left to reflect on what could have been a legendary achievement marred by health challenges.