Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma has reportedly regained consciousness after his heavy fall at the start of the last 200 meters of the men’s steeplechase at the Paris Olympics earlier on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old, who is the 3,000m steeplechase world record holder, was stretched off of the track after passing out right in the thick of the event, worrying fans in the process.
It is believed that Girma has now regained consciousness as he was able to utter a few words before being transferred to hospital for examinations, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
Girma appeared to have lost consciousness after he fell over a hurdle and struck his head and back hard. He lay on his stomach, not moving, and the entire field avoided him.
This might be it for Euge. Paycheck on Lamecha Girma in the fkn steeplechase. Don’t even ask why. Half a lap left buddy about to kick it and secure the win and just gets fkn knocked out cold. Slumped. No movement. Just fell to my knees at work. Boss asking if I need to go home. pic.twitter.com/33Vapj8xtG
— Eugene Bergeron🇨🇦🍻 (@eugenebergy) August 7, 2024
Later, his coaching team provided an update on his condition online by sharing a photo of the steeplechaser on X (formerly Twitter) while he was receiving medical attention in the hospital. @angasurunning posted the photo, which showed the runner lying back in a bed, with the caption, “Coach Teshome Kebede said “Lamecha Girma is in good condition.”
Views of Girma’s journey were horrifying because they showed his left leg convulsing. He was wearing a neck brace and was lying on a stretcher with his eyes open. ‘Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams.
Can someone PLEASE tell us how Lamecha Girma 🇪🇹 is?!?! That fall in the 3000M Steeplechase was horrific! @bbcsport #olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/YNGk42XC7Q
— Ian Ridpath (@ianridpath) August 7, 2024
Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a fast recovery,’ Paris 2024 said in a statement. The race had all the makings of an epic duel as Soufiane El Bakkali waited in the middle of the pack before making his move with about 300m to go, chasing down Girma who was flying through the field.
Events took a jarring turn, however, when Girma fell, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Happy to hear Lamecha Girma 🇪🇹 has regained consciousness after the painful fall in 3000m Steeplechase final in Paris Olympic Games👇🏾
Photo Courtesy#Paris2024Olympics #ParisOlympics #kenya #Ethiopia #olympics2024 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/6SYITqIPvd
— Kenya One Sports 🇰🇪 (@TonnyKe11) August 8, 2024
While medical personnel were still tending to Girma, El Bakkali pursued Kenneth Rooks over the last bend, but the American dug deep to produce a personal best time and claim a surprise silver.
The Moroccan held his arms out wide as he crossed the finish line to become the first back-to-back winner of the event since Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo in 1932 and 1936.
The fans at the Stade de France offered a scattered applause as he was strapped to a stretcher and carried out through a tunnel. “I actually didn’t know how bad the fall was – I didn’t know who fell until after the race,” said Rooks.
