‘Scariest moments of my life’ – Noah Lyles’ mother hits out at Paris Olympic officials in furious rant after 200m final
Noah Lyles’ mother didn’t hold back as she gave her account of her son’s Olympic 200m travails.
Having won gold in a sensational 100m race last Sunday, Lyles was tipped to come out on top in his preferred distance.
Lyles had to be helped off the track after the 200m final in ParisCredit: AFP
But in a shock turn of events, the American sprinter finished third behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and fellow American Kenny Bednarek.
Almost immediately after he collapsed to the track, where he appeared to struggle for breath before being carted away in a wheelchair.
Lyles then announced he’d tested positive for COVID, while his coach, Lance Brauman, told The Associated Press Lyles had a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 Celsius) when he picked up the bronze.
The sprinter was clearly struggling and his mother has insisted stadium security at the Stade de France ignored her calls for assistance.
Though she praised those who helped her in those trying moments.
In a post on Instagram, Keisha Caine Bishop, Lyles wrote: “This was one of the scariest moments of my life!
“Watching my son hold his chest gasping for air while the stadium security refused to call a Dr. as I begged them to send him help.
“They also refused to do anything to help. They totally ignored me! No parent should ever have to experience this feeling of helplessness!
“However, I want to thank the @nbcolympics team for helping me during this moment.
“Thank you for seeing me & my son as human beings and not just another story.
Lyles was helped into a wheelchair after struggling to breatheCredit: Getty
“Words cannot express my gratitude for your empathy, professionalism, and kindness.
“Also thank you @usatf staff who let me cry on their shoulders. To the security team, I pray if your loved one ever needs help, they get treated better than you treated us. I also thank God he is getting better.”
Meanwhile, his coach is excited about what’s to come in the future for Lyles.
Brauman said: “He’s going to be really good through LA at least, and then we’ll see what happens after that.
“I just need him to keep doing what he’s doing.”
