Doctors issue update on Ethiopian athlete after horror fall knocks him unconscious during Olympic race
An update on the health of Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma has been reported after he suffered a horror fall in the men's 3000m steeplechase.
Girma, who won the silver medal in the same event at Tokyo 2020, looked set to contend for the gold heading into the final straight.
But he clipped the third-to-last hurdle and lost his balance, and suffered a horrific fall directly onto his back.
Fortunately, no other athletes stepped on Girma, who was running in second before the fall, and he received rapid treatment from on-site medical staff at the Stade de France.
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You can see the fall below.
World Record holder Lamecha Girma took a nasty fall as he fell in the 3000m steeplechase and rival Soufiane El Bakkali took Olympic gold 🥇
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 7, 2024
We send out best wishes and hope Lamecha is okay ❤️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/510IBd3Avu
The 23-year-old was placed in a neck brace and taken out of the arena on a stretcher to applause from concerned fans in the stands.
Now, an update on his condition has been provided by French outlet L'Equipe.
They say that Girma was knocked unconscious by the impact, but was able to regain his senses a few minutes later and speak to the medical staff.
He was then taken to the Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris for 'further examinations'.
An Ethiopian coach took to social media hours later, confirming that Girma was in a 'good condition' in hospital.
Coach Teshome Kebede said "Lamecha Girma is in good condition.” pic.twitter.com/EUDb06pc65
— Aman (@angasurunning) August 8, 2024
In a statement, Paris 2024 organisers said: "Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams.
"Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery.
"Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian NOC to stay updated on his condition."
The winner of the race was Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali, who became the first man to successfully defend an Olympic steeplechase title in 88 years.
Ethiopia, meanwhile, have won two silver medals at Paris 2024 thus far, though 5000m runner Hagos Gerbrihwet is the fastest man in the field over that distance this season and is expected to challenge for the gold medal in the final on Thursday.
Ryan Smart