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Justin Gatlin has shared why he will not condemn Noah Lyles for running with the COVID-19 virus in the men's 200m final at the Paris Olympics.
Justin Gatlin is unbothered about Noah Lyles running the men’s 200m final race despite having the COVID-19 virus.
The American legend lauded Lyles for showing up and giving his best in the hotly contested race. The 2004 Olympic 100m champion noted that the Olympics come once in four years and Lyles was wise to decide to run.
He noted that other athletes would prefer withdrawing from the races but Lyles gave his all and finished third behind Letsile Tebogo and Kenny Bednarek.
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19:38 - 10.08.2024
Michael Johnson gives advice to Noah Lyles & Co over failure to embrace other Olympics medals
The American sprint legend has urged athletes who missed out on gold but won other medals at the Paris Olympics to be content with what they won since it is still ‘greatness.’
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“I look at that with respect…you know, you went out there unhealthy and went there and doubled. We kind of had Noah winning that because it’s his baby, he is a 200m specialist and we were surprised that he won the 100m,” Gatlin told TMZ Sport.
“For him to go out there with that illness and still manage to get on that podium. He could have bowed out of the race but he still got to that start line and got on the podium,” he added.
Gatlin pointed out that Lyles, the three-time world champion risked the life of other athletes, he never had any other choice.
In four years, the four-time world champion insisted that Lyles might be doing different things hence the decision to run the race with the virus. Gatlin added that the Olympic gold medal has a lot of value that many might not understand.
“I don’t want to downplay COVID-19 and put other elite athletes in danger but we know Noah Lyles, nothing was going to stop him from getting to that starting line and trying to give his best,” he said.
“As an Olympic athlete, you have a small window to try and accomplish your goals and in the next four years, you need to think of what next. A world championship gold medal does not equal an Olympic gold medal.”
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