'Crazy' scenes as rogue cameraman casually strolls into middle of men's 5000m heat
It was unbelievable scenes in the second men's 5000m heat at Stade de France on Wednesday, and not because Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen won his heat after missing the podium in a huge boilover in the 1500m final overnight.
We're also not talking about Canada's Mohammad Ahmed – who claimed silver at Tokyo 2020 – falling over going into the final lap, nor three athletes hitting the turf on the final corner, forcing Australia's Stewart McSweyn to jump over them on the way to the finish line.
No, we're talking about a rogue cameraman walking onto the track during the race, in a move that had commentators and the crowd gasping in unison.
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In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment about 10 minutes in, a cameraman – looking the other way – slowly wandered into the path of the elite athletes vying for a spot in the semi-final.
A cameraman walked onto the track during the 5000m heat, almost colliding with athletes. Nine
He had been coming from the javelin near the track, and luckily, turned and visibly did a double-take, stopping himself seconds before what would have been a disastrous collision with four laps to go.
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"These 5000s have been crazy. Honestly, you wouldn't see it at Little Athletics, some of what is going on here," Nine's Gerard Whateley said.
"We've had spills, running into cameramen..."
McSweyn ultimately failed to qualify for the final after coming in 12th place.
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Earlier in day 12's track and field program, Australia's Michelle Jenneke had a nasty stack in her 100m hurdle heat.
The 31-year-old Olympian – who is known for her warm-up dancing – came flying out before clipping the third hurdle and falling to the track.
Thankfully, she finished the race, so can try to qualify for the semi-final during the repechage round.
