The last time a sprinter won the 100 and 200 meter races at the Olympic Games, Usain Bolt held the record.
He was the star from Jamaica who had a legitimate – and perhaps undeniable – claim to the title of fastest man in the world.
Lyles had a chance to make sure his name was mentioned in all those conversations, but he settled for a bronze medal after Letsile Tebogo of Botswana won gold and Kenny Bednarek of Team USA won silver.
After the race, it was announced that Lyles had contracted COVID-19. He had been diagnosed two days earlier. He was exhausted and had to be taken off the track in a wheelchair.
OLYMPIC GAMES 2024 IN PARIS
Earlier this week, Lyles became the first Team USA athlete in 20 years to win the 100-meter sprint with a photo finish in 9.784 seconds.
He is also expected to compete in the final of the 4×100-meter relay, although he did not compete despite the heat to get Team USA there.
But before that, he would have had the chance to make some history at the 2024 Olympic Games, and Lyles – which rarely happens – failed to take that chance.
