On Noah Lyles’ heavily ripped torso there is a four-letter tattoo, spelt out in capital letters: ICON. He decided to get it six years ago as an act of manifestation. Ink it and it will come. But on Thursday night the American’s dream of winning four golds at these Olympics came to an abrupt end due to Covid – and a kid from Botswana they call the schoolboy.
The rumours of Lyles’ sickness began to swirl around the Stade de France moments after he finished with a shock bronze in the 200m, which has always been his best event by far. The news was soon confirmed by Lyles, who said that he had tested positive at 5am on Tuesday morning after waking up with chills, aches and a sore throat.
