BBC presenter Gabby Logan has sharply criticized American sprinter Noah Lyles, labeling his decision to race in the 200m event at the Olympics as “selfish” after he tested positive for Covid-19. The controversy erupted following Lyles’ participation in the high-stakes event, which saw him ultimately finish with a bronze medal behind Kenny Bednarek and Letsile Tebogo.
Lyles, who had previously secured gold in the 100m race earlier in the week, faced scrutiny after it was revealed that he had tested positive for the virus. Despite the positive test, Lyles chose to compete in the 200m final, a decision that has sparked a heated debate regarding athlete responsibility and public health.
In a live broadcast on BBC, Gabby Logan expressed her disapproval of Lyles’ actions, emphasizing the potential risks associated with his decision. “A decision to race is one thing when you have something like that, but also the introductions [stadium entrances]… really interesting, that that’s a waste of energy,” Logan said. She further criticized the implications of Lyles’ choice, stating, “There’s also, I imagine, some people thinking, ‘Well hang on, you’re going in the call room, you’re with people in a small space, there’s a potential to give other people Covid.’ It seems to be quite a selfish decision.”
Lyles’ participation in the race included moments where he interacted closely with competitors, hugging and high-fiving them after securing bronze. The decision to compete despite testing positive for Covid has raised questions about the protocols and personal responsibility of athletes in such circumstances.
While there are no explicit rules mandating Olympic athletes to withdraw from competition due to a positive Covid test, the situation has drawn criticism from various quarters. Team USA has indicated that it relies on individual athletes to make personal decisions regarding their participation, leaving the choice largely up to the competitors themselves.
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Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who won gold in the 200m, playfully described Lyles as “loud” and “arrogant” but also defended him. Tebogo noted that Lyles took precautions to prevent virus transmission. “Personally, I wouldn’t say we were at risk because it’s not a contact sport. So even during the warm-ups and in the call room, he was just there by himself,” Tebogo explained. He added, “Personally, I wondered why [he was by himself]. I didn’t want to make assumptions about what he could be going through.”
Noah Lyles, 27, revealed that he first experienced symptoms of Covid-19 on Tuesday morning, just days before the 200m race. “I woke up early about 5am Tuesday morning, feeling really horrible,” Lyles recounted. “I knew it was more than being sore from the 100. My first thought was not to panic, I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve been in worse conditions.”
Despite acknowledging the impact of the illness, Lyles defended his decision to compete. “I took it day by day, tried to hydrate as much. It would say it has taken its toll, for sure, but I have never been more proud of myself coming out here and getting a bronze,” he said. When asked if he regretted racing while infected, Lyles responded firmly, “No, no. We just said we were going to quarantine as much as possible and not try and pass it on.”
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the balance between individual athlete responsibility and public health concerns, particularly in the context of high-profile international competitions. Gabby Logan’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate over the ethics of competing while potentially contagious and the expectations placed on athletes in the current global health climate.
