Noah Lyles, Dubbed ‘Loud’ and ‘Arrogant’ By 200M Winner Letsile Tebogo, Is Still Facing Backlash for ‘Selfish’ Decision to Run with COVID, Others Mock Sprinter for Seemingly Making Excuses After Shocking Defeat

In the world of track and field there isn’t a more charismatic and larger than life athlete than the American sprinter Noah Lyles. The reigning 100 meter champion has had little issues becoming the self-proclaim face of the sport with his showmanship. However, his supreme confidence that many view as self-centered and over the top backfired following his 200 meter loss in Thursday’s final at the Paris Olympics. Lyles was building up the narrative that he would become the first sprinter to pull off the double since Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. After winning the Bronze in Tokyo, Lyles had not lost a 200 meter race since placing second in his semifinal heat behind the eventual gold medal winner, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. And after his photo-finish win in the 100 meters on Sunday, it all seemed possible. But it wasn’t meant to be for Lyles in the 200 final in Paris this week as he settled for the bronze and made a bigger spectacle after the loss then when ecstatically appeared out of the tunnel with leaps and jumps that even triggered a warning for lack of sportsmanship. It didn’t take fans long to come for him via social media. Nahh I’m...