Oblivious Cameraman Casually Strolls Onto Track During 3000m Steeplechase Final
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A cameraman at the World Athletics Championships proved that he'll go to any lengths to do his job by casually strolling onto the track during the middle of the race.
The shot probably would have been incredible, but that's besides the point as his actions nearly ruined the race itself.
Yes, his bravery (or sheer stupidity) meant the competitors were forced to weave round him to avoid a heavy collision.
The final of the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships was marred by an incident which, fortunately, didn't end in disaster.
On any other occasion, the steeplechase requires runners to race round the track while hurling themselves over large barriers into water.
But in this case, there was another obstacle on the track in the form of a bloke holding a big, clunky camera.
What the…?!?! Lol my hat is off to @karagoucher for not losing her cool on the live broadcast when the cameraman… became the 29th barrier of the men’s steeple final!? 😳 #wcoregon22 pic.twitter.com/zx00UpdFxL
— Sally Bergesen (@oiselle_sally) July 19, 2022
As the field came round the corner, they looked up to see the cameraman standing right in the middle of the track.
With his back facing the oncoming runners, the bloke didn't see the group coming as they were forced to swerve out of the way at the last minute.
Thankfully, none of them hit him.
✅️ New Immersive Camera Angle
— chris winter (@cwinter3) July 19, 2022
✅️ New "mobile" Steeplechase barrier
Innovation when you least expect it! https://t.co/wWmt3Jn1MC
"I was a little worried that he was going to dart one way or another, right at the last second," Team USA's Evan Jager said.
"But thankfully he didn’t realise we were there until we all passed him."
Soufiane El-Bakkali of Morocco ended up winning gold in the event with Ethiopian star Lamecha Girma claiming silver, while reigning world champion Conseslus Kipruto clinched the bronze medal.
But despite a thrilling race, capped off with a last-gasp sprint to the line from El-Bakkali, it seemed most of the talk on social media was centred around the clueless cameraman.
The camera man just vibin on the track like a race isn’t happening. Boy we are really lookin crazy in front of the world.
— BIANCA KNIGHT, OLY (@MsBiancaAK) July 19, 2022
Camera man trying to catch angles never seen before in the steeple chase?? 😂
— Justyn Knight (@justyn_knight) July 19, 2022
I applaud the surprise on-track cameraman obstacle in the men's steeplechase final at WCH 22. Other steeplechase obstacle ideas to break out of the hurdles 'n' water trap:
— Paul Kedrosky (@pkedrosky) July 19, 2022
- Poetry readings
- Pamplona bulls
- Mud slides
- Real snakes and real ladders