Ethiopian track star Lamecha Girma is recovering after a terrifying scene in 3000 meter steeplechase for men final where the current world record holder was taken off the track on a stretcher after going down on the final lap of Wednesday’s race.
The 23-year-old Olympian pushed for third place in the final lap of the race when trying to clear an obstacle. His hind legs seemed 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 carried off the track after falling in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Girma lay motionless on the pitch at the Stade de France after appearing to hit the back of the head after clipping the barrier.
He was attended to by several doctors before a head restraint was placed on him. He was then carried off the court on a stretcher.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave a positive update on Girma on Thursday.
Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma lies on the track during the men’s 3000m steeplechase final in athletics at the 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France on August 7, 2024. (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
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“We understand that he is in good shape and he is fine, he is recovering,” the IOC said in a statement. via Reuters.
Girma was the defending silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the men’s 3000 meters steeplechase. He is also currently the world record holder, with a time of 7:52.11 which he set in Paris 2023.
Lamecha Girma competes during the men’s 3000m steeplechase heats at the 2024 Olympic Games on August 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 silver and Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya for bronze.
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