Tokyo Olympics 2021: Pat Tiernan opens up about 'disturbing' collapse in men's 10,000m
Nothing was going to stop Australian distance runner Pat Tiernan from crossing the finish line on Friday night - regardless of how 'disturbing' the footage of his collapse on the final lap was.
Tiernan has opened up about his heroic performance in the men's 10,000m race last night, where he fell to the ground on the final lap before recovering the get across the line.
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"Obviously it's disturbing to see that sort of footage, and I'm disturbed looking back at it," he said today.
Rhonex Kipruto of Kenya with Pat Tiernan. Getty
"I can't imagine what they [friends and family] were feeling, watching me over those last 100 metres," he said.
Tiernan praised the "overwhelming" amount of support from both friends, family and the general public.
Read More: Tiernan plays down 'heroic' finish
"There was a lot of waves of emotion going through my head in the 20 minutes that followed the race. Panic at first, and disappoinment obviously. I didn't have the result that I wanted to have - I put myself in a good position to do that, but just came up short."
Tiernan had stayed with the leaders for the vast majority of the race before stumbling and collapsing in the final moments.
"I was struggling, physically it felt very hard - but at the same time it's the Olympic 10k final, and if you want to compete for a medal, you're expecting it to feel hard.
Ethiopia's Selemon Barega celebrates after his 10000m win. Getty
"I wouldn't say I really knew I was in trouble until about 200 metres to go, when I sort of felt myself leaning forwards and stumbling for the first time there.
"Then when I hit the deck with about 180 metres to go I thought 'I've really gotta pull myself together here just to get across the line'.
"But you know, you come to the Olympics and you've got 180 metres to go, you don't walk off the track there, you've got to finish that race and get across the line and do your country proud."
