Noah Lyles' coach reveals fever of 102 plagued sprinter

Dealing with injuries is a different process for everyone. Noah Lyles continues to receive a lot of criticism and push back for how he's handled the 200m race. For some it appears contradicting. He started skipping around and jumping around as his name was announced. But then suddenly after the event concluded, a wheelchair was needed and he looked deeply fatigued.

For some, this indicates the world's greatest acting job, a coping mechanism to cover for what was supposed to be seen as an easy win. But for those who have dealt with injury and battling through a competition day while being sick, showing up and putting the best foot out there can take different forms. Either way his coach Lance Brauman, according to an article released by ESPN on the story, shared with reporters that the track star not only had COVID but was dealing with a fever and internal body temperature of 102 F.

It was also confirmed and stated in the same article that he had indeed tested positive for the above mentioned sickness, which he had been dealing with for a couple of days before the event itself. With these statements and seeing how the rest unfolded, onlookers can begin to develop a clearer picture. What's more, it's impossible to say what lengths people would go to. However it's doubtful that anyone would turn down the chance to compete in an event that they are objectively good at, like the 4x100 meter relay just to 'keep face.'

It's possible that someone with as many accolades and as already established as him would skip out on an event in order to perpetuate the narrative that he overcame. The hope would be that fans believed he did his best but that the circumstances just weren't right. But again this errs on the side of unlikely at best.

Then to explain the pre-race antics, most likely the adrenaline and atmosphere were too much to contain within himself. Yes, he's been at this stage before but asking most at this level, they'll admit to getting goosebumps, if not every now and then, more often than what you might think.

This caliber of competitor is used to big crowds and hearing their names across the PA system in front of thousands, but when it's at the Olympics it's still is another level of awesomeness that few take for granted. Which is why again it's unlikely that Noah Lyles is faking being sick and using this as an excuse to not only rationalize his 200m performance but to then take it a step further and skip out on another event entirely.

Potential explanation for Noah Lyles' actions

Photo byHenry & Co.onUnsplash

Furthermore the Barbra Streisand effect would be a better cover up for any possible shortcomings. Granted this is a rarely used tactic because people inherently feel the need to say anything versus just saying nothing. And for someone with the self-proclaimed confidence of the Olympian, going down this reasonable and objectively better route may prove difficult.

But certainly is the goal was for people to forgive, forget, and move on then saying nothing would have been the best move. One aspect about the Olympics that needs to change from American viewing habits is that spectators will only tune into this sport once every four years. This shows an overall lack of appreciation for the dedication that so many put in to their craft. Again this is something that needs to evolve with the viewing habits and patterns of sports fans in the United States as a whole.

But until that day happens the reality is that very few will care or wish to monitor what happens after the conclusion of a race much less the Olympics as a whole. Either this is one of the best attempts at a cover up to explain away what was an embarrassing loss or the health status is valid. If someone is telling a lie in regards to this, the truth will come out soon enough and all this will blow up in the face of everyone involved anyway.

Therefore until a credible source shares otherwise, there's no reason to believe that the track star or his coach are lying and to even suggest otherwise is ultimately disrespectful. In the meantime Noah Lyles deserves full credit for competing while having an internal temperature within triple digits and hopefully fans will start to tune in to him and other athletes more frequently than just when the Games come around.