American sprinter Noah Lyles was notably absent from the news conference held for the medalists of the men's 200-meter race. Lyles, who secured a bronze medal in the event, made the announcement that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. This revelation explained his absence from the scheduled press event.
At the news conference, Lyles' designated seat, marked by a placard with his name, was noticeably vacant. Just before the conference commenced, the placard was removed, further emphasizing Lyles' absence from the proceedings.
Lyles' positive Covid-19 test adds to the challenges faced by athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics amidst the ongoing pandemic. The news serves as a reminder of the strict health and safety protocols in place to mitigate the spread of the virus during the Games.
Despite not being present at the news conference, Lyles' performance in the men's 200-meter race and subsequent acknowledgment of his positive test have garnered attention and raised awareness about the impact of Covid-19 on athletes competing at the highest level of sport.
