After a violent fall that worried everyone, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) assured that the Ethiopian world record holder, Lamecha Girmawho holds the world record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, is feeling better after losing consciousness Wednesday during the race.
“We have understood that it is going well and we are thinking about it,” Mark Adams, IOC spokesman, told the press, noting that the Ethiopian Olympic Committee will be in charge of providing more details on the matter.
His coach, Eabisa Negese Geletu, recently posted on Twitter a photo of the athlete on a stretcher in the hospital, and indicated that “he has not yet fully regained consciousness and although he is not at risk of losing his life, he will need some time to recover.” recuperate”.
“He is in good condition,” said another of his coaches, Teshome Kebede.
Girma was seeking a first Olympic title for Ethiopia in the 3,000-meter hurdles when he fell violently to the ground after his right leg hit a barrier at full speed 200 meters from the finish line.
The images set off alarms since the Ethiopian, three-time world runner-up and Olympic runner-up in Tokyo, did not move. He was evacuated a few minutes later on a stretcher, to the applause of the public.
“We hope he is OK and can recover soon. Nobody likes to see an accident like that,” added Mark Adams.
The winner of the race was the Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali, and he was followed by the American Kenneth Rooks, who commented: “I was not aware of how bad the fall was. I did not know who had fallen until the race was over. I will in my prayers.”
With information from Agencies