Michael Johnson blasts Noah Lyles for 'very bizarre' decision to race at Olympics despite having Covid
Noah Lyles won bronze at the Olympics on Thursday night despite suffering with coronavirus
REUTERS
BBC Sport pundit Michael Johnson has criticised Noah Lyles for racing at the Paris Olympics - despite testing positive for coronavirus.
The 27-year-old had gone into Thursday night's 200m hoping for a second gold medal, having won the 100m earlier in the week.
Yet Lyles was forced to settle for bronze, with the Team USA star visibly struggling.
It has since emerged that the American had tested positive for Covid before the race. Instead of isolating, however, he decided to compete.
Noah Lyles won bronze at the Olympics on Thursday night despite suffering with coronavirus
REUTERS
There are no rules in place regarding Covid at the Olympics, unlike in Tokyo three years ago.
Yet Johnson believes it is 'very bizarre' that Lyles chose to compete - insisting he's not sure 'morally' whether it was the right decision.
"Very bizarre, Covid is still a dangerous disease. It is just bizarre, the whole thing is really weird," he told the BBC.
"There is going to be all of this thing with the Noah haters out there – and he set himself up for it – there are going to be people out there saying it’s not real and he’s faking or whatever.
JUST IN: Olympic champion Noah Lyles COLLAPSES on track after dramatic 200m final
"But putting that aside, having Covid and still coming out here and being in close proximity with other people – I know there probably is not a policy I guess at these Games for that – but morally I’m not sure about it."
Team GB's Adam Peaty tested positive for Covid in France as well.
He chose to isolate for a few days before then returning to action.
With Lyles, however, the situation seems to be different.
READ MORE: Mike Tyson 'not well enough to train' as boxing fans fume over new Jake Paul fight announcement
"Why would you give them an edge?"
Explaining the moment he found out, he added: “I tested positive around 5am on Tuesday.
"I woke up feeling chills, aching, sore throat. Those were a lot of the symptoms I have had before getting Covid.
"I was like: ‘I need to test this one.’ It came back positive so we quickly quarantined in a hotel near the village and they got me on as much medication as they legally could to make sure my body was able to keep the momentum going.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Christian Horner's accuser learns final answer after five-month appeal process as Red Bull issue statement
- England next manager: Mauricio Pochettino 'emerging as leading candidate' but FA face appointment problem
- Lin Yu-ting slams 'false' gender test and says she's quizzed in the bathroom amid Olympics boxing row
Michael Johnson has blasted Noah Lyles for competing at the Olympics despite returning a positive Covid test
BBC
“I still wanted to run, they said it was still possible so we stayed away from everybody and took it round by round.
"I have definitely had better days but I am walking around again. I was quite light headed after that race and the chest pain was definitely active.
"After a while I was able to catch my breath and get my wits about me. I am feeling a lot better now. It definitely affected my performance.”
Noah Lyles has defended his decision to compete at the Olympics despite his positive Covid test
REUTERS
Team USA now have 103 medals with three days of the Olympics to go.
They're one gold ahead of China and 12 clear of third-placed Australia.
You may like
