Ethiopia‘s Lamecha Girma has reportedly regained consciousness after his heavy fall at the start of the last 200 meters of the men’s steeplechase at the Paris Olympics earlier on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old, who is the 3,000m steeplechase world record holder, was stretched off of the track after passing out right in the thick of the event, worrying fans in the process.
It is believed that Girma has now regained consciousness as he was able to utter a few words before being transferred to hospital for examinations, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
Girma appeared to have lost his senses after tripping over a hurdle and hitting the ground hard with his back, then his head.
Lying on his stomach, he did not move while the entire field avoided him.
Lamecha Girma lost consciousness after tripping over a hurdle during the Steeplechase final
Girma lied motionless with his eyes open and his left leg convulsing as medics rushed to him
His coaching team later delivered an update on his condition online, posting a picture of the steeplechaser on X (formerly Twitter) while undergoing examinations in hospital.
The picture, which showed the runner laying back in a hospital bed, was posted by @angasurunning with the caption: ‘Coach Teshome Kebede said “Lamecha Girma is in good condition.”‘
From a distance, images of Girma’s trip were frightening since his convulsing left leg could be seen. His eyes were also open while he wore a neck brace on the stretcher.
‘Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams. Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery,’ Paris 2024 said in a statement.
The race had all the makings of an epic duel as Soufiane El Bakkali waited in the middle of the pack before making his move with about 300m to go, chasing down Girma who was flying through the field.
Events took a jarring turn, however, when Girma fell, drawing gasps from the crowd.
A picture later emerged of the Olympic runner, with his coach reportedly saying: ‘Lamecha Girma is in good condition’
Girma’s fall came in the last 200 meters of the 3000m event at the Stade De France in Paris
Girma (second to far left) before his worrying fall in the field of the 3000m steeplechase
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali eventually won the event in front of America’s Kenneth Rooks
El Bakkali chased down Kenneth Rooks over the final bend but the American dug deep to produce a personal best time and claim a surprise silver.
The Moroccan held his arms out wide as he crossed the finish to become the first back-to-back winner of the event since Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo in 1932 and 1936, while medical staff were still tending to Girma.
The fans at the Stade de France offered a smattering of applause as he was strapped to a stretcher and carried out through a tunnel.
‘I actually didn’t know how bad the fall was – I didn’t know who fell until after the race – so I’ll just keep him in my prayers,’ said Rooks.