WORLD RECORD RECORD holder Lamech Girma regained consciousness after a horrific fall during the Olympic hurdles final.
The Ethiopian, 23, was near the front on the last lap when he clipped the third from the last hurdle and hit the track hard.
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Lamecha Girma recovers from his horrific fall in the 3000m steeplechase finalCredit: INSTAGRAM@EABISA
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The 23-year-old was leading the pack as the race drew to a close Credit: Getty
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Girma lay worryingly motionless on the track after hitting his headCredit: AFP
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He was immediately treated and a neck brace was applied Credit: AP
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Girma was pulled out and taken to hospitalCredit: AFP
Worryingly, Girma lay motionless on the track before medical attention was given to him.
Doctors quickly attended to the fallen Ethiopian and put a brace on his neck before carrying him off the track.
Girma was immediately transferred to the hospital, where he received further medical attention.
But luckily, he regained consciousness and is starting his recovery journey, and a photo of the athlete in a hospital bed was shared on social networks.
Girma is believed to be communicating with doctors and members of Team Ethiopia.
His regaining consciousness is a welcome relief given the severity of his fall.
A Paris 2024 spokesman said after the incident: “After falling in the 3000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams.
World record holder Lamecha Girma suffered a nasty fall as he fell in the 3000m steeplechase as his rival Soufiane El Bakkali took Olympic gold 🥇
We send our best wishes and hope that Lamecha is well ❤️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/510IBd3Avu
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 7, 2024
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Girma is the world record holderCredit: AFP
“Our thoughts are with him and we send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
“Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian IOC to keep us updated on its condition.”
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Girma won silver in the 3,000m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
He has also won three silver medals at the world championships since 2019.
He holds the world record in steeplechase with a time of 7:52:11, which he set last year in Paris.
And Girma is also the indoor record holder at 3000m with a time of 7:23:81.
Moments after Girma’s fall, Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali won the steeplechase to defend his Olympic crown.
He crossed the line in a time of 8:06:05, before saying: “We are sorry that one of the athletes fell in this steeplechase final. An athlete from Ethiopia.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened. There was respect in the competition between the athletes.”
American Kenneth Rooks took the silver and added: “I didn’t know how hard his fall was. I didn’t know who fell until after the race.
“I will keep him in my prayers.”
Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot came home third for the bronze medal.
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Girma competed in the 3000m hurdles Credit: Alamy
What’s happening at the Games today?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDALS OF HOPE
More medals up for grabs in the velodrome with Emma Finucane eyeing gold in the women’s keirin (4.15pm) while Ethan Hayter goes for it in the men’s omnium (4pm).
The men’s 3m springboard final could be Jack Laugher’s chance to win a fifth Olympic medal (2pm).
World champion and Tokyo silver medalist Bradly Sinden plus London and Rio gold star Jade Jones both go into taekwondo (from 9.55am).
BRITONS TO WATCH
The heptathlon starts at 9am with Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jade O’Dowd competing today in the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m.
This morning (from 10:10 a.m.) the men’s and women’s 4×100 meters relay start in the first round.
And Georgia Hall and Charley Hull have a second round of golf (from 8am),
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
The U.S. men’s basketball team faces Serbia at 8 p.m. in hopes of securing a spot in the finals.
All-conquering Netherlands vs. Germany for men’s hockey gold (18:00).
And there will be plenty of athletics superstars in the track finals, with gold medals in the men’s 200m (Noah Lyles) and men’s 110m hurdles (Grant Holloway) up for grabs tonight from 7pm.
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There’s still time for some beach volleyball action with the semifinals at 4 p.m. next to the Eiffel Tower.
Alternatively, the women’s handball semi-finals feature Sweden vs. France (3:30 p.m.) and Norway vs. Denmark (8:30 p.m.).
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
BBC commentator Andrew Cotter said: “The drama and danger of the steeplechase.
“An astonishing race, a very strange race.”
While Peacock commentator Leigh Diffey said: “In 40 years of running and hurdling I’ve never seen such a heavy fall.”
Former NBA star Pau Gasol tweeted: “Wishing Lamechi Girma strength and a speedy recovery after his fall in the Olympic 3000m hurdles final. All the best to him 🙏🏻.”
Elsewhere on the track on Wednesday night, Team Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith narrowly missed out on gold in the men’s 400m as he had to settle for silver.
Quincy Hall of the USA dramatically overtook the Briton in the final stage to grab the Olympic crown.
It means Keely Hodgkinson’s 800m title remains Britain’s only gold on the track so far at the Paris Games.
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