Ethiopian runner Lamecha Girma regained consciousness and was able to communicate following a frightening fall during the Olympic 3,000m steeplechase final in Paris on Wednesday night.
The world record holder collided with his knee against a barrier during the final lap, causing him to hit his head on the track. He remained motionless until medical staff placed him in a neck brace and transported him on a stretcher.
The 23-year-old, who earned silver at the Tokyo Olympics and in the last two world championships, was subsequently taken to a hospital for evaluation. His team later informed L’Equipe that he was awake and responsive.
A statement from the organizers of Paris 2024 said: “Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate attention from medical personnel on-site. We extend our thoughts and best wishes for a quick recovery. Paris 2024 is in constant communication with the Ethiopian NOC for updates on his condition.”
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali made history as the first man to defend the Olympic steeplechase title since Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo at the 1936 Games in Berlin.
Kenneth Rooks of the USA claimed silver, while Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya secured bronze.
In other events on Wednesday evening, Jamaica’s Roje Stona surprisingly won gold in the men’s discus with an Olympic record throw of 70m, narrowly beating Lithuania’s world record-holder Mykolas Alekna, who took silver by just three centimetres.
Australia’s Nina Kennedy triumphed in the women’s pole vault, clearing 4.90m to beat Katie Moon from the United States.
Noah Lyles, the 100m champion, advanced to the final of the 200m, aiming to replicate Usain Bolt’s sprint double achievement. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP
Noah Lyles moved closer to fulfilling his ambition of achieving a sprint double at the Olympics by qualifying for the final of the 200m.
The American sprinted to 100m gold by the narrowest of margins on Sunday night and needed to finish in the top two of semi-final heat two to secure his place in Thursday’s final.
Lyles flashed a grin and crossed his fingers as the camera focused on him on the big screen.
Like in the 100m final, Lyles had a sluggish start among the eight competitors but regained momentum, finishing in 20.08 seconds for second place behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo at 19.96.
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Lyles’ time ranked him as the third fastest among semi-finalists, following Tebogo, who was the only athlete to achieve a sub-20 second timing.
Amber Anning secured her place in the women’s 400m final on Friday, clocking a personal best of 49.47 in her semi-final.
The 23-year-old, who helped Great Britain clinch bronze in the mixed 4x400m relay, finished just two-hundredths of a second behind Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek.
Anning expressed her excitement: “I’m thrilled. This is my first Olympics and my first final – I’m over the moon, especially with a PB. My goal was to reach the final, and now I’m just looking forward to Friday.
“I feel I still have a lot to give; it’s about recovering well and discussing with my coach what adjustments we need to make for the final.”
Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke also advanced from the first semi-final, finishing second, while Team GB’s Victoria Ohuruogu and Laviai Nielsen did not move forward.
Great Britain’s Tade Ojora participated in the second heat of the men’s 110m semi-finals but unfortunately did not qualify, finishing in seventh place.
