Olympic Runner Stretchered Off Track in Neck Brace After Frightening Fall in Steeplechase

Ethiopian runner Lamecha Girma was stretchered off the track during the Olympics men's 3,000-meter steeplechase final at Stade de France on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

During the final lap, Girma, 23, who won silver in the event during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and holds the world record, tripped over seemingly the last hurdle during the finals race. As he approached and raised his left leg, he tipped the hurdle before falling to the ground and hitting the back of his head.

Grima remained lying on the ground as the other athletes completed the race and avoided him. While on the track, he lost consciousness. He eventually regained consciousness and was able to speak a few minutes later, according to L'Equipe.

Girma was on the track for some time before medical personnel came to his side, USA Today reports. Once there, four medics placed him in a neck brace and stretchered him off the track to take him to the stadium's medical facilities.

Girma was then transported to the Pitié Salpêtrière hospital for additional assessment, according to L'Equipe.

“In 40 years of commentating running and the steeplechase, I have never seen a fall that heavy,” Peacock announcer Leigh Diffey said during the broadcast, according to The Athletic. 

“Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams,” Paris 2024 organizers said in a statement, per The Guardian. “Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery. Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian NOC to stay updated on his condition.”

Girma set the world record in the event in 2023 with a time of 7:52:11. He also won silver medals at the 2019, 2022 and 2023 world championships.

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On Wednesday, Moroccan runner Soufiane El Bakkali came in first, with a time of 8:06:05. American Kenneth Rooks followed with 8:06:41 and Kenyan runner Abraham Kibiwot came in close behind with 8:06:47.

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