Olympics viewers question Noah Lyles' pre-race antics after rival's 'arrogant' claim

Noah Lyles left the Olympics stunned when he was helped from the track after his 200m race and fans have questioned his pre-race antics considering the fallout for the brash American. Lyles has been the talk of the athletics world this Olympics having looked like the most likely athlete to achieve the 100m and 200m double and match Usain Bolt's remarkable feat.

Lyles hyped up the crowd ahead of his 100m gold medal and he backed it up with a show-stopping performance. The American won the 100m race with a 0.12 seconds margin and went on to celebrate in emphatic style holding his name tag up to the world. And Lyles continued to captivate the audience with his larger than life personality.

And Lyles continued to talk a big game going into his favourite event, the 200m race. Lyles is the world champion and was heavily favoured to become the first man since Bolt to win the double at one Olympics.

When Lyles was called to the starting blocks for the race in front a raucous Paris crowd, he burst out of the tunnel. The American got the crowd on their feet as he jumped around the track and showcased his electric energy. Something the sport has been missing - according to some - since Bolt's retirement.

Although Lyle's final Olympics event didn't go to plan. The American ran well below his best time and finished in third place. Lestile Tebogo lived out a dream to win the 200m event and hand Botswana their first gold of the game. The 21-year-old ran an African record of 19.46 seconds, despite slowing down at the end of the race.

Lyles was well behind the gold medal winner and eventually fell to the floor with exhaustion. Officials quickly helped the American as he appeared to be in pain after the event. And he eventually told reporters he had fallen ill.

Lyles admitted he was unfortunately not well before the race and was struggling with his body due to Covid. “I’ve had better days,” Lyles said after the race. “I do have Covid. I tested positive around 5:00 am on Tuesday morning."

Lyles - who also suffers from asthma - was clearly completely drained and needed helped after giving it his all to win bronze for the USA. The American was seen in a wheelchair after the race, which was a sad end to his Olympics. However, it hasn't stopped fans questioning his pre-race routine if he wasn't feeling well.

The American carried out his usual pre-race routine as he jumped into the air and amped up the French crowd only a few minutes earlier from needing help after the final. Lyles has brought back a certain flair to the sport.

This has helped him garner fame and attention with his brash personality matching his talent. This was quite evident when he called out the NBA for calling the winning team the 'world champions'. This drew plenty of criticism from his fans in the US. And having talked a big game ahead of the 200m final, his pre-race antics have been questioned with many asking whether he should have used all that energy if he wasn't feeling well.

Noah Lyles shows his class after race

Before the 200m event, Lyles was adamant he would be wearing the gold medal when reporters asked him of his chances. "It’s me. It’s always going to be me," he said before the race. "Everybody knows that the title goes to the Olympic champion and the world champion, which I am one of and soon to be another one of."

While Lyles copped some criticism for not backing up his big talk, despite being sick, he was also classy in defeat. Lyles finally won the 100m final at the Olympics, but was desperate to win the double to be put alongside the likes of Bolt.

Regardless, he was full of praise for Tebogo for running a brilliant race after facing hardship in 2024. "I know you have had a very rough year off the track and despite that you overcome it all," Lyles wrote.

Lestile Tebogo calls out Noah Lyles after race

In an interesting moment at the press conference after the 200m race, gold medal winner Tebogo labelled Lyles 'arrogant'. Tebogo was asked if he felt he could become the face of athletics with the Botswana 200m gold medalist only 21 years old.

However, Tebogo said he didn't carry the same outspoken personality as Lyles and he would most likely not overtake him as the face of athletics. "I think, for me, I can't be the face of athletics because I'm not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah (Lyles). So, I believe Noah is the face of athletics," Tebogo said. Regardless of the comment, Lyles and Tebogo shared a lovely moment after the race with the duo embracing to celebrate the Botswana runner's win.