- Jake Odey-Jordan was on his way to victory at a blistering pace in the 200m.
- But the rising British star took her foot off the accelerator and was embarrassingly outpaced.
- An accident at the European Under-18 Athletics Championships is a great educational experience
A rising British sprint star has suffered a hugely embarrassing mishap at the European Athletics Under-18 Championships.
Jake Odey-Jordan, 16, was on a tear in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, and came around the final corner well ahead.
But inexplicably, he then slowed down, thinking that either the finish line was closer than it was or that his lead was insurmountable.
His competitors then overtook him and Odey-Jordan finished fourth with a time of 22.12 in the fourth heat.
His miscalculation led to his elimination from the competition, which he was a big favourite to win.
Jake Odey-Jordan was rapidly pulling away from the rest of the field before inexplicably slowing.
Having slowed down, the rising British star was overtaken by three other sprinters.
Odey-Jordan (pictured at a different event) took full responsibility for his mistake and said he had felt good in the race.
Odey-Jordan spoke openly about his mistake when interviewed, saying, “It’s okay. I mean, it’s my fault, so I can’t be sad about anything but myself.”
“It is what it is. I felt good. It wasn’t the fastest race, but I felt good. I could have been under 21 for sure. But it’s all good anyway.
“I just arrived, it’s my first race at this event. I tried to stand up, I didn’t have any pain or anything like that.”
She echoed those words on her Instagram profile by posting comments that had apparently been sent to her by other people.
She posted this comment on her Instagram story after the embarrassing mishap.
Another post suggested that it was some kind of divine will that threw the lead.
One of them read: “Things really do happen for a reason. We live and we learn. You’re still young.”
Another simple way to say it: “God said, #notyet.”
