- Athletics events for the Paris Olympics began on Friday morning.
- Lucia Moris, 23, from South Sudan, was competing in the 100-meter preliminary round.
- But she collapsed to the ground during the race and was taken out on a stretcher.
South Sudanese sprinter Lucia Moris was carried off on a stretcher after appearing to suffer a serious injury during the preliminary round of the women’s 100 metres at the Paris Olympics.
With track events getting underway at the Games on Friday, a key event on the agenda was the sprint.
However, in one of the heats, Moris appeared to suffer an injury mid-race, with the 23-year-old collapsing to the ground in agony about 30 metres from the finish line.
She had started the race well on the inside lane, but suddenly began to feel uncomfortable after a certain step.
Moris then stumbled, before stopping and falling, and medical staff rushed to the track to assist her after the race concluded.
South Sudan’s Lucia Moris collapsed to the ground during the preliminary round of the women’s 100m
Moris (on the inside lane) had started the race on the right foot and was in a good position 30m from the finish.
But Moris seemed to touch something and stumbled, before collapsing in agony.
The South Sudanese athlete was left writhing in pain on the ground, clutching her leg.
She remained on the ground for several minutes after the race before medics carried her off the track on a stretcher.
Congolese Natacha Ngoye won the heat in 11.34 seconds, but several of Moris’ competitors were quick to check on her.
Many fans also expressed their condolences towards Moris after the heartbreaking moment, which came as he appeared to be flying high in second place after a positive start.
One said: ‘Pray for Lucia Moris, I hope she’s okay,’ before another added: ‘I never want to see that again.’
Several of Moris’ fellow athletes came over to check on her as she clutched her leg in pain.
The South Sudanese star was later carried off on a stretcher after being treated by medics.
Other fans expressed their sadness at what happened, with one joking: “Oh my god I feel so bad for Lucia Moris for getting injured right away.”
Moris was competing in her second Olympic Games after having also participated in Tokyo, where she was the flag bearer for South Sudan.
However, their elimination in the preliminary rounds means South Sudan are yet to win a medal of any colour since their inaugural Olympics in Rio eight years ago.