Noah Lyles feared bronchitis after testing positive for COVID, but now he’s tackling new career goals

PARIS (AP) — Asthma didn’t stop Noah Lyles from running the 200 meters on the Paris Olympics, even after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Despite concerns about bronchitis and conflicting reports of a fever, Lyles won the bronze medal just two days after testing positive, more concerned in regards to the severe symptoms of the virus than his temperature, which his trainer Lance Brauman said spiked to 102 degrees.

“Whenever I’ve had COVID, it’s never been about the temperature. It’s always been about the body aches, the chills, the headaches, the cold,” Lyles told The Associated Press on Sunday, speaking during an interview about his new Visa campaign, which included his mother, Keisha Caine Bishop, who narrated a 30-second video together with her son.

Lyles said his temperature didn’t rise above 99 degrees. The only reason he would withdraw can be if his bronchitis symptoms worsened.

“And then the asthma came on top of it and made it worse, that was our biggest fear,” he said. “We went back to the emergency room under the track. Their biggest concern was that I was going to get bronchitis because we didn’t want anything to get infected, and the asthma really started to kick in. We really had to catch up.”

Lyles added: “If that were the case, I probably would have had to go to the hospital.”

Lyles, 27, had a tumultuous ride on the Paris Olympics, becoming the world’s fastest man within the 100 meters before deciding to race the 200 meters. He faced criticism for competing within the race and potentially infecting others, but the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee had no objection to Lyles’ participation.

Lyle has embraced becoming an anti-hero. He’s used to hearing criticism for being overconfident, but he notes that many don’t understand his journey to improving his self-esteem.

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In addition to asthma, Lyles also struggled with dyslexia, anxiety, depression and a spotlight deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“These are all prime targets for bullying,” he said. “I was bullied in school. It was very difficult, and I wasn’t doing well because I’m not a traditional student. Going through that was very difficult. Going through the school system made me feel stupid. I felt like none of my gifts that I have now were worth anything.”

Lyles has pushed through the skeptics by constructing herself up with the assistance of her family—especially her mother. Even before her son’s Olympic medals, she was pleased with him.

“It’s not the critic that counts, because it’s always easy to be a critic,” she said. “I know people think his confidence is arrogance, but what do you want people to do? I feel sad for those people who feel they have to criticize someone who has great goals and is achieving them.”

His mother said, “It’s higher to have goals, set them, and never achieve them, than to take a seat your whole life wondering, ‘What if?’

Lyles often cites his mother’s advice when skeptics mention his name.

“You’re still going to count on me to win the day, aren’t you?” he asked. “Like my mom used to say, the higher you climb on the ladder, the more your underwear shows. People are going to have their opinions. … But anyone who’s ever met me walks away saying, ‘Oh my God, I feel so inspired.’”

Lyles has tested negative for COVID-19 and is now trying to make a much bigger career for himself. He will proceed to coach hard for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September, but next yr he’ll look to expand into other areas, equivalent to fashion, music, buying a new home and having fun with his relationship with athlete Junelle Bromfield.

“I’m excited about where the road takes me,” he said. “And honestly, I’m also excited about what God has planned, because I can only think so far. But he thought so much further than I ever could.”