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Olympic runner remains hospitalized after scary fall

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Lost in the chaos of one of the most exciting finishes in the track & field events of the Summer Olympics, a beloved runner is recovering in a Paris hospital after a nasty fall that left him unconscious.

Ethiopian Olympic runner Lamecha Girma is awake and recovering despite losing consciousness earlier after hitting his head during yesterday’s 3000-meter men’s steeplechase.

As Girma was heading into the final straightaway, he clipped his leg while trying to hurdle a barrier, which caused him to slam his head on the ground and lay motionless on the track. Medics immediately rushed over to Girma as other runners were able to avoid colliding with him. The scary incident was caught live on camera during the NBC Peacock broadcast.

The former Olympic silver medalist had to have his neck immobilized before being stretchered off and taken to a Paris hospital. Fortunately, he later regained consciousness and is in “good condition,” according to his coach.

Fortunately, it’s reported that Girma is in good condition following the scary fall.

Peacock announcer Leigh Diffey described the scene live on-air saying, “In 40 years of commentating on running and the steeplechase, I have never seen a fall that heavy,” Diffey told viewers watching at home.

LaMecha currently holds the world record for the fastest time in the 3000-meter men’s steeplechase to go along with his silver medal during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He is also a three time steeplechase world champion.

Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali ended up taking gold in the event, while USA’s Kenneth Rooks won the silver medal – by just 0.06 seconds over Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot.

Here is Rooks’ silver medal performance.

About the Author

Cory Templeman is an experienced writer and researcher who has worked with some of the biggest names in the publishing business. Cory lives in South Carolina with his wife and three kids.