Letsile Tebogo wins 200M, denies Noah Lyles sprint double

Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Botswana's Letsile Tebogo clocked an African-record 19.46 seconds to upset Noah Lyles in the Paris 2024 men's 200-meter final, denying the American of a rare sprint double Thursday in Saint-Denis, France.

Team USA's Kenny Bednarek finished second with a time of 19.62. Lyles registered a time of 19.70 to earn bronze. Lyles and Bednarek also claimed respective silver and bronze medals in the event at Tokyo 2020.

Tebogo's finish resulted in the first gold medal in the history of the Olympics for Botswana.

Lyles completed the first leg of the feat by becoming the first American man to win the 100-meter final in 20 years Sunday in Saint-Denis, France. He was attempting to become just the 10th male Olympian to complete a sprint double.

The American got off to a choppy start out of the blocks, allowing Bednarek to pace the pack into the turn. Tebogo then gained speed, slipping by Bednarek on the inside. Lyles tried to gain steam down the stretch, but could not match the pace.

He limped after crossing the finish line before going to the ground, showing signs of exhaustion. Several trainers then tended to the track star, giving him water and escorting him away from the track.

Lyles later announced that he was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this week and opted to still compete in the event.

Tebogo also posted the fastest time (19.96) in the semifinal round for the 200. Bednarek (20.00) and Lyles (20.08) clocked the respective second and third fastest semifinal times. Bednarek also clocked a 19.96 in the first round of qualifying.

Canada's Andre De Grasse, who failed to qualify for Thursday's final, won the event with a time of 19.62 at Tokyo 2020. Bednarek (19.68) finished second, followed by Lyles (19.74).