This is the terrifying moment emergency medics rushed to help French runner Alessia Zarbo after she collapsed to the ground during the Olympic 10,000m final.
With just a few laps to go at the Stade de France, one of the local favourites crashed in the final straight, while the race continued alongside her.
As the camera followed the lead group around the bend, television viewers saw medics urgently tending to the runner, while others brought in a stretcher to help her.
Zarbo’s health status has not been reported. Another runner, Rahel Daniel from Eretria, also failed to complete the 10,000-meter race.
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the women’s 10,000m gold medal in 30 minutes 43.25 seconds on Friday, adding to her 5,000m title at the Games.
Alessia Zarbo is treated by medics on the track as Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi leads the pack
Alessia Zarbo of France is treated on the track during the women’s 10,000m race
Zarbo falls on the track during the women’s 10,000-meter race at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Only one lane separated the collapsed Zargo from the leader Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti took silver in 30:43.35 and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, gold medallist in Tokyo, finished third in 30:44.12.
World record holder Chebet did her part by setting the pace early on and as the field launched into a sprint with one lap remaining, she pulled away on the final corner to deliver Kenya’s first gold medal in the event.
It remains unclear whether Zarbo or Daniel have been infected with COVID-19, which has been circulating in the Olympic Village.
Noah Lyles won a bronze medal with the virus in front of tens of thousands of spectators and dozens of other athletes at the Games tested positive. But organizers only issued health recommendations and imposed no restrictions, allowing athletes to compete if they want and can.
This is in stark contrast to The Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which had to be delayed by a year due to the global pandemic and were held under strict COVID-19 regulations, with no spectators allowed at any event. Six months later, the Beijing Winter Games even had stricter protocols Because of China zero tolerance policy.
In Paris, the Olympics are reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. The French have brought back the two-cheeked greeting, “la bise.” Fans joyfully approach athletes at venues to pat them on the back. Masks are rarely seen in the crowds of fans, and people from all over the world can come to France without proof of vaccination or negative virus tests.
The World Health Organization said earlier this week that at least 40 athletes at the Olympics had tested positive for the virus, amid a surge in cases around the world.
On Thursday night, Lyles was wheeled off the track in a wheelchair after finishing third in the 200 meters. He later said he had tested positive for COVID two days earlier.
