- Sophie Weissenberg sustained an injury just moments prior to her hurdles heat on Thursday
- She collapsed in pain as medical personnel hurried to assist her before the race
- The 26-year-old had shared her enthusiasm about making her Olympic debut
German heptathlete Sophie Weissenberg was left heartbroken after her Olympic aspirations were abruptly ended due to an injury sustained during warm-up before her hurdles heat.
Ranked ninth globally, Weissenberg was prepared to compete in the second heat, which followed competitors like British stars Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jade O’Dowda, and pre-event favourite Nafissatou Thiam, who participated in the first heat.
However, the 26-year-old encountered trouble by clipping a hurdle during her warm-up, causing her to collapse on the track as medical teams rushed to her aid.
Eventually, she was wheelchair-bound and unable to participate in the event.
The incident initially went unnoticed by television cameras, which later cut back to show Weissenberg face down in distress moments before the heat.
Sophie Weissenberg picked up a bizarre injury moments before her 100m hurdles heat at the Paris Olympics
The German heptathlete hit the ground in agony after picking up the issue in her warm-up
Weissenberg clipped a hurdle as she warmed up before appearing to roll her ankle moments after
She was promptly surrounded by six medics while a replay displayed her attempting to jump over several hurdles during her warm-up.
The footage revealed her knocking down one hurdle and striving to continue, but soon realizing she had injured her ankle.
As she faltered, she also seemed to roll her ankle, which led to her collapsing, prompting a swift medical response.
Commentator Colin Jackson, a former British hurdler, remarked, “You can imagine how terribly disappointed she is. She appeared to be performing everything correctly, but then in those final moments, it can all go awry.”
Weissenberg was eventually taken off the field, holding her head in her hands, after receiving comfort from another athlete before the heat commenced, which was won by Dutch athlete Emma Oosterwegel.
Entering the Games with high expectations, she had previously relayed her enthusiasm on social media about her Olympic debut.
The German had expressed her excitement to make her Olympic debut in Paris on social media just hours before competing
Medics rushed to the scene to help the 26-year-old, who was also consoled by a fellow runner
She was helped into a chair before being wheeled away, with the race starting moments later
She was ruled out of the race and likely the Games, taking a brief moment to reflect on what had happened
Hours before stepping onto the track, she posted a photo on Instagram wearing the German team’s colors with the caption: ‘Olympic debut tomorrow!’
However, she might have to wait an additional four years to fulfill that dream due to her injury. It remains uncertain if she will be able to participate in the remainder of the heptathlon competition.
British favorite Johnson-Thompson ranked eighth in the standings following her hurdles performance.
Reigning Olympic champion Thiam was in 16th place after a disappointing run.
