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Barely a huff or a puff seemed to escape him.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images/Amanda K Bailey
But the journey since has been anything but effortless.
Read on to learn how Lyles has succeeded against the odds.
At just 3 years old, the future track star battled a viciously persistent cough.
Insidefoto/Getty Images
He couldnt eat without coughing.
He couldnt play, Bishop, Lyless mother, toldESPN.
His quality of life went down.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Doctors eventually ran some extra tests and officially diagnosed him with asthma, according to ESPN.
This was about the time he began to play sports.
Everything was going pretty well up until his sophomore year in high school.
Although his condition eased a bit, his lungs struggled to recover after races, according to ESPN.
She asked Lyles, What is it that you want out of life?
What is your purpose on this earth?
To run really fast.
If youre emotionally fatigued, that can bring your immune system down.
I was so tired.
All the time, he toldTime.
Even thinking was a drain.
It felt like you were almost in a constant asthma attack.
The Paris Games was an entirely different story, showcasing the athlete at his peak.
I will tell you that what you have does not define what you might become.
And stress is not fun, and I dont believe in a life thats not fun.
Semifinals for the event will happen on Wednesday at 2:02 p.m.
ET, with finals following on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. SELF is your one-click source for all things Summer Olympics.
Read our latest coverage of the Paris Gameshere.
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