Worrying signs as 'brave' Aussie Matthew Clarke suffers health scare after 3000m steeplechase

Australia's Matthew Clarke was escorted from the track due to a health emergency after completing the 3000m steeplechase in Paris.

Clarke, who was visibly in distress towards the back-end of the event, collapsed moments after finishing last in his heat.

While Clarke has yet to comment on the incident, teammate Ben Buckingham, who also failed to advance to the next phase, confirmed the South Australian has been battling a virus in the lead up to the race.

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It is unclear what the illness is or how Clarke's recovery is going.

Clarke's admirable determination was praised by Nine's Gerard Clarke, who revealed the 29-year-old was still under supervision by the Australian medical team at the conclusion of competition.

"That's just so brave," Whateley said.

"He suffered the whole way around, Australia's national champion, Matthew Clarke, but he was determined to finish here in Paris and finish he has.

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"He's now collapsed to the track, he did well to stay on his feet, I suspect, the whole way round, as he dropped further and further behind.

"But in his own way, that's blood and guts running."

Clarke was cleared to return to the warm up track following aid from on-field medical staff, but will not compete in further events.

"That's as good a news as we could have hoped for, given what we all saw together," Whateley said.