French runner Alessia Zarbo collapsed during the women’s 10,000-meter final on Friday in a scary scene at the Paris Olympics.
Zarbo, 22, was tended to mid-race and eventually taken off in a stretcher as the other runners circled on the track.
The crowd at the Stade de France in Paris cheered in support as Zarbo was carried off.
“We have a runner down. I think that’s the Frenchwoman Alessia Zarbo,” a broadcaster said after her collapse. “It is quite humid and quite sticky and maybe the whole emotion of the occasion has got her as well.”
RMC Sport, a French outlet, reported that Zarbo is “is feeling better and recovering.”
Beatrice Chebet of Kenya would go on to win the race just days after she took gold in the 5,000-meter on Monday.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti took silver while the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan won bronze.
The injury is just the latest in what has been a troubling week on the track for some 2024 Olympics athletes.
The harrowing incident comes two days after Ethiopian runner Lamecha Girma was stretchered off during the 3000-meter men’s steeplechase after falling as he attempted to clear a hurdle on the final lap of the event.
Girma appeared to hit his head and laid motionless as other runners finished the race.
On Thursday, Germany’s Sophie Weissenberg reportedly tore her Achilles during warmups for her first heptathlon event and Olympics debut and was later taken off in a wheelchair.
The incident involving French runner Alessia Zarbo during the women’s 10,000-meter final at the Paris Olympics was indeed a frightening moment for spectators and athletes alike. As Zarbo collapsed mid-race, the immediate concern for her well-being was palpable. The crowd at the Stade de France reacted with a mixture of shock and support as she was attended to and eventually carried off the track on a stretcher.Thankfully, reports from RMC Sport indicate that Zarbo is now on the road to recovery and feeling better. This news surely comes as a relief to all those who witnessed the distressing scene. In the end, it was Beatrice Chebet of Kenya who emerged victorious in the race, adding to her gold medal in the 5,000-meter event earlier in the week. She was followed by Italy’s Nadia Battocletti and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.Unfortunately, Zarbo’s collapse is just one in a series of unsettling incidents that have occurred during the 2024 Olympics. Just days before Zarbo’s fall, Ethiopian runner Lamecha Girma suffered a serious injury during the 3000-meter men’s steeplechase, underscoring the physical risks that athletes face in pursuit of their goals. Girma’s fall, which resulted in him being stretchered off the track after a harrowing collision, served as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in competitive sports.Adding to the heart-wrenching moments on the track, reports emerged of German athlete Sophie Weissenberg sustaining a severe Achilles injury during warmups for her heptathlon event. Weissenberg, making her Olympic debut, was forced to withdraw from competition and was seen leaving the venue in a wheelchair, bringing a premature end to her dreams of competing on the world stage.In light of these recent events, it is clear that the physical and emotional toll of elite athletic competition can be immense. As we applaud the resilience and determination of these athletes, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing their well-being and safety above all else. Stay tuned for more updates on the Paris Olympics and join us in supporting these remarkable individuals as they continue to inspire us with their passion and dedication to their sport.
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Source: USA Today
