At the Paris Olympics, an unexpected twist unfolded during the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
Lamecha Girma, a celebrated Ethiopian runner known for his remarkable achievements, faced a dramatic fall in the final lap. Girma, who holds the world record for this event and won silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, was navigating the back stretch alongside his competitors.
In a heartbreaking moment, he caught his knee on a hurdle and crashed head-first onto the track, lying motionless as the race went on. Medical personnel quickly arrived on the scene to attend to Girma, who was carefully placed in a neck brace before being taken away on a stretcher.
The Outcome
As of now, Girma’s condition remains uncertain.
The race, however, concluded with its own surprises. American runner Kenneth Rooks clinched the silver medal, finishing just 0.06 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot.
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali took home the gold and made history by becoming the second man ever to successfully defend his Olympic steeplechase title, a feat last achieved by Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo at the 1936 Berlin Games.
Girma’s Legacy
Despite this setback, Girma’s accomplishments remain impressive.
He has previously secured silver medals in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, and the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. In June 2023, Girma set a new world record with a time of 7:52:11, surpassing the previous record that had stood for 19 years.
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