No sprint double for Noah Lyles as Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo takes 200m gold

Noah Lyles collected bronze but came up short of completing his desired Olympic sprint double after Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claimed 200 meters gold in Paris.

The American world champion at the distance was hoping become the first man since Usain Bolt at the Rio 2016 Games to secure both the 100 metres and 200 metres titles.

He had managed to bounce back to win 100 metres gold in Paris, but this time could not compensate for what was again the slowest reaction time of the pack.

Tebogo crossed in 19.46 for his first Olympic title and the United States’ Kenny Bednarek snapped up silver.

Lyles was slowest off the blocks in 0.173 seconds but had clawed his way up to third by the 20- metre mark and remained in bronze medal position for the rest of the race, finishing in 19.70.

Tebogo and Bednarek battled for their positions, the American holding the lead just after the halfway point, but it was the Botswanan’s race to lose from the 120 metres mark and he never looked close to letting go.

Lyles, who was also issued a yellow card for breaking his starting block, was whisked away to a medical consultation after the race and did not stop to speak to media.