Moroccan maintains streak of worldwide championship victories however athletes and followers are hoping Lamecha Girma recovers from nasty accident with simply over 200m to go
Soufiane El Bakkali’s golden reign as 3000m steeplechase champion continued because the Moroccan gained his fourth world title prior to now 4 years.
Nonetheless the occasion was marred when world record-holder Lamecha Girma suffered a horrible fall when he hit a barrier arduous with simply over 200m to go. Falling to the bottom with a heavy thud, the Ethiopian didn’t transfer till he was stretchered away by officers.
Girma, who additionally holds the world indoor 3000m document, was hospitalised after the race. The Paris 2024 organisers stated: “Following his fall within the 3000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma obtained quick care from the on-site medical groups. Our ideas are with him and we’re sending him our easiest needs for a swift restoration. Paris 2024 is in shut contact with the Ethiopian NOC to remain up to date on his situation.”
Oblivious to the accident, El Bakkali gained a sprint-out for gold in 8:06.05 as Kenneth Rooks gained a preferred silver for the US in 8:06.41 and Abraham Kibiwot took bronze for Kenya with 8:06.47.
Lamecha Girma receives remedy (Getty)
On his victory, El Bakkali stated: “I’m actually glad I’ve gained once more. That is my second Olympic gold. I’m actually, actually happy. This 12 months I’m going to rejoice with household, buddies and all people.
“I’ve really labored arduous this 12 months. It didn’t begin very effectively for me as a result of I had a stress downside originally of the 12 months. The harm was arduous. However that is the Olympics. It’s not a standard day job, so I needed to maintain going.”
On his Paris win in comparison with Tokyo, he added: “This time is a bit completely different. Final time there have been no followers, however this time all people is right here within the stadium, and it’s my residence, it’s Paris.”
After Rooks completed second, British steeplechase Phil Norman took to social media to say: “A superb run by Kenneth Rooks of the USA to take silver within the 3000m steeplechase operating an enormous 9sec PB. It’s price noting that he certified by way of a world rankings place, simply exhibiting that something can occur.”
Norman, in fact, was one of many unfortunate British athletes who weren’t chosen by UK Athletics regardless of being in a world rankings qualifying place.
Rooks was on the again within the early phases and progressively moved via earlier than bolding taking the lead with a lap to go. He stated: “It has been an important 12 months for the USA. I feel we’ve gained medals in each distance occasion that’s been run thus far on the lads’s facet. It’s a particular 12 months.”
On his race, he added: “I had a whole lot of confidence stepping into that I didn’t know precisely what my restrict was. Simply keep within the combine, give it all the things that I had. It was surreal to take the lead on the finish and realise I would get a gold, however I’m glad I used to be capable of combat for the silver. It’s unreal, a dream. It’s been superior to take all of it in. The victory lap took so lengthy, seeing so many individuals.”
» Subscribe to AW journal right here