Letsile Tebogo triumphs in a stunning 200m victory and calls out Noah Lyles for arrogance in a heated exchange at the Stade de France

In a surprising turn of events, Letsile Tebogo clinched the gold medal in the 200m race, stunning the audience and fellow competitors alike.

His victory was not just a triumph of speed but also a statement, especially when it came to American sprinter Noah Lyles, who had confidently predicted his own win.

Before the race, Lyles exuded confidence, telling reporters he was sure of his victory.

His entrance into the Stade de France was anything but humble, as he energetically engaged with the crowd, waving his arms and jumping around.

However, the race did not go as planned for Lyles, who later revealed he had been battling Covid.

He finished in third place, far from the gold he had expected.

Following his victory, Tebogo didn’t hold back when asked about his competitor.

He described Lyles as “arrogant” and “loud,” contrasting his own more reserved demeanor with that of the American sprinter.

When questioned about becoming the new face of track and field, Tebogo responded, “For me, I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or loud person like Noah.

So I believe Noah’s the face of athletics.”

This comment even brought a brief smile to the face of Lyles’ teammate, Kenny Bednarek, who had secured the silver medal.

A Disappointing Finish for Lyles

Lyles had boldly predicted a double victory after his gold in the 100m, declaring that his competitors would be left “depressed” after he rounded the turn in the 200m.

But reality hit hard as Lyles struggled to finish third, ultimately requiring a wheelchair due to his condition.

Later, Lyles took to Instagram, admitting that his Olympics were likely over.

He had been scheduled to compete in the 4×100 relay but hinted that his health might not allow it, expressing hope that fans had enjoyed the show he was able to put on.

Lyles’ Struggle with Covid

In a post-race interview with NBC, Lyles, wearing a mask, explained that he had woken up feeling terrible just two days before the race.

Despite trying to stay calm and hydrated, the illness clearly took a toll on his performance.

He shared that only a few people, including his coach and mother, were aware of his diagnosis.

“We wanted to compete discreetly,” Lyles said, adding that revealing his illness to his competitors would have given them an advantage.

Tebogo’s Emotional Tribute

For Tebogo, this victory was deeply emotional, as it came just two months after the loss of his mother, Seratiwa.

The 21-year-old had been unable to train for a month, consumed by grief over losing his biggest supporter.

At the 2023 World Championships, Seratiwa had secretly attended to watch her son compete.

In her honor, Tebogo wore shoes bearing his mother’s date of birth, explaining, “It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take.”

He chose not to include her death date on the shoes, saying it would have made him too emotional.

Reflecting on her absence, he said, “I believe she could be one of the happiest people on the planet because she believed in me when I doubted myself.”

 

TDPel Media

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