A junior sprinter has spoken out after a rival left her with a potential skull fracture after striking her on the head with a baton.
On Monday, in the American state of Virginia, a 4x200-metre relay race between students from a number of different local high schools took place.
The gold medal was up for grabs and in the final stretch, Brookville High School junior sprinter Kaelen Tucker was picking up the pace and about to head into second place.
But a rival sprinter feared that she was going be demoted into third and in shocking scenes, hit Tucker over the head with her baton.
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Tucker immediately held her head in discomfort and stumbled off the track and was not able to finish the race.
I.C Norcom High School, who the offending girl was racing for, were disqualified due to "contact interference". Footage quickly circulated online and Tucker's mother revealed that she suffered a "slight concussion" and was also being checked for a potential skull fracture from the blow.
Tucker was left with a headache and doctors will wait for swelling to go down before examining and providing a further official diagnosis.
The youngster sat down to speak about the incident alongside her mother during an appearance on WSET ABC News on Thursday.
"As we were coming up to the middle of the curve, we were bumping arms a lot," Tucker recalled.
"So I got more on the outside of the curve to go around her. When I finally pushed through to get in front of her, that's when she hit me in the head with a baton.
"I was so in disbelief. I didn't know what happened - I just got hit in the head and fell off the track.
"No-one [from the opposition], at the time, came up and checked on me or anything."
Tucker's mother also explained she had been in conversation with VHSL (Virginia High School League), who have been investigating after being notified of the incident.
She said: "I reached out to VHSL. I knew it was after hours but I left a message and sent an email telling them what happened. We did get a call back this morning from VHSL, saying they had received the message and were investigating and working with the schools.
"We don't know all of the actions that's going to be taken at this time but I think my whole thing was no apology.
"No coaches, no athlete, no anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don't believe it was, nothing.
"And it's been more than 24 hours now. My child was hurt and nobody came to check on her. We're just waiting to see what the disciplinary action will be."
Tucker's main issue was the fact she has been unable to get back on the track straight away because of the necessary checks.
However, given the severity of what happened, Tucker's mother was asked whether she had considered pressing criminal charges for assault.
"Especially when there has been no apology, I guess that was the major thing for me," she replied.
"Of course everybody gives their opinion on what they think you should do but that's also somebody else's account and I want to take that into account as well.
"She definitely struck my daughter more than once but she is somebody else's child as well."
Topics: Athletics
Josh Lawless