Lamecha Girma health update as world record holder taken to hospital after sickening fall in steeplechase
Lamecha Girma left the stadium on a stretcher
GETTY
Lamecha Girma is 'in a good condition', according to his coach Teshome Kebede, after the runner suffering a horror fall in the last lap of the men's 3,000m steeplechase final.
The Ethiopian runner was making a move in the final 300m up to the front of the pack when he clipped his knee on a barrier and crashed to the floor.
He appeared to land directly on his head and lay motionless on the track before medics rushed to his aid.
The 23-year-old, who currently holds the world record in the event, was put in a neck brace before being stretchered off the track.
Lamecha Girma left the stadium on a stretcher
GETTY
He was immediately taken to hospital and was said to have been talking after regaining consciousness.
His coach Kebede then offered an update on social media with a picture of Girma in his hospital bed, stating he was in a 'good condition'.
Paris Olympic organisers released a statement after the incident, which read: “Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams.
"Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery.
"Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian NOC to stay updated on his condition.”
Girma broke the world record for the 3,000m steeplechase in Paris last year in a Diamond League meet.
But the Ethiopian is yet to win gold at a global event having won silver in three consecutive World Championships and the Tokyo Olympics.
Soufiane El Bakkali was the reigning Olympic champion and he successfully defended his crown to win Morocco's first medal of the Games.
He had to hold off a late challenge from Kenneth Rooks, but the American had to settle for silver just ahead of Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot.
The other main event on track on Wednesday evening saw Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith go for gold in the men's 400m.
The 29-year-old improved upon his European record with a time of 43.44 but was pipped to the line by Quincy Hall in a thrilling race.
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He's the first Briton to finish on the podium in the men's 400m at the Olympics since 1996.
"It is just the start really. Time to build," Hudson-Smith, who is now the fifth fastest 400m runner in history, told BBC Sport.
"I'm healthy. My time is going to come, it is only a matter of time."