Ethiopian world record holder Lamecha Girma suffers horror fall in 3000m steeplechase
The current world record holder in the men's 3000m steeplechase hit his head in a nasty fall on the final lap of the event at the Paris Olympics, leaving Stade de France on a stretcher.
Ethiopian runner Lamecha Girma, a silver medallist from the Tokyo Olympics, was dealt a bad hand at the most crucial point in the race, when he attempted to clear a hurdle on the back stretch.
Girma's leg clipped the hurdle which sent him head first onto the track, leaving him motionless as competitors continued on.
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Girma's fall on the back stretch. Nine
Medical officials eventually made their way to Girma, before fitting him with a neck brace and leading him away on a stretcher.
A statement from Paris 2024 organisers said: "Following his fall in the 3000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams. Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery. Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian NOC to stay updated on his condition."
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Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma Getty
Lerma regained consciousness and spoke briefly before being taken to a Parisian Hospital for examination, according to French outlet L'Equipe.
Girma seemed destined to grab gold in June after he smashed the world record by more than a second, which stood for 19 years.
He's also won the silver medal in the same event at the 2019, 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
With Girma out of contention, the field opened up as a fast and tense finish saw Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali defend his title and take gold.
El Bakkali became the second man to successfully defend his Olympic steeplechase title since Volmari Iso-Hollo of Finland at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin.
American distance runner Kenneth Rooks had to settle for silver and was almost demoted to third, with Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot just 0.06 behind.
