Ethiopian track star Lamecha Girma is recovering after a scary scene in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase final where the current world record holder was taken off the track on a stretcher after going down in the final lap of Wednesday’s race.
The 23-year-old Olympian was jostling for third place in the final lap of the race when he attempted to clear a hurdle. His back leg appeared to catch it, causing him to go down hard as the rest of the pack made their way past him.
Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia is stretchered from the track after falling in the Men’s 3000m steeplechase final. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Girma laid motionless on the track at Stade de France after appearing to hit the back of his head after clipping the hurdle.
He was tended to by several medics before a neck brace was placed on him. He was then taken off the track on a stretcher.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) provided a positive update on Girma Thursday.
Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma lies on the track during the men’s 3000m steeplechase final of the athletics event at the 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on August 7, 2024. (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
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“We understand he is in good shape and he is okay, he is recovering,” the IOC said in a statement, via Reuters.
Girma was the 2020 Tokyo Olympics defending silver medalist in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase. He is currently the world record holder as well, with a time of 7:52.11 which he set in Paris in 2023.
Lamecha Girma competes during the men’s 3000m steeplechase heat at the 2024 Olympic Games on Aug. 5, 2024. (Lui Siu Wai/Xinhua via Getty Images)
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Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco won the gold medal, followed by American Kenneth Rooks for the silver and Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya for bronze.
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