US runner Noah Lyles competed in the Olympic Games despite being infected with coronavirus. A sports doctor explains how dangerous it is to give it your all when you have Covid-19.
August 9, 2024, 7:45 p.m.
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After Noah Lyles, who was infected with corona, won bronze in the 200-meter sprint and had to be taken out of the arena in a wheelchair, the same thing happened to the German athlete Malaika Mihambo, who won silver in the long jump and is still battling the consequences of a Covid infection. Sports physician Hans-Georg Predel explains that competitive athletes with an acute Covid infection can still perform well in the short term, but this is dangerous because the immune system is weakened and long-term consequences such as chronic fatigue or cardiac arrhythmias can occur. Predel warns against exercising when infected and recommends taking it easy until the symptoms have subsided.
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Competitive athletes have a better immune system than ordinary mortals – but they also put more strain on it. Sometimes to the point of collapse. © Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
After winning bronze in the 200-meter sprint, Noah Lyles, who was infected with coronavirus, had to be taken out of the arena in a wheelchair. The same thing happened to German athlete Malaika Mihambo, who won silver in the long jump and is still battling the effects of a Covid infection. How dangerous is coronavirus in elite sport? Sports physician Hans-Georg Predel from the German Sport University Cologne is part of a research consortium that is investigating this question. ZEIT ONLINE reached him on his way back from Paris.
TIME ONLINE: Mr. Predel, how is it physically possible for a competitive athlete with an acute Covid infection to compete in an Olympic competition and even come third?
