'Devastated': Athletics world championships rocked by horrible moment
The athletics world championships were rocked by a devastating moment on Sunday when American sprinter English Gardner went down injured in the 100m semi-finals.
The 27-year-old - who tore a cruciate ligament in 2017 which kept her off the track for 13 months - pulled up and collapsed on the track with a hamstring injury.
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In devastating scenes, a ‘distraught’ Gardner stayed face-down on the track for a number of seconds before medical staff came to her aid.
She was transported from the arena in a wheelchair, sobbing into her hands as she left.
In touching scenes, Dina Asher-Smith and Morolake Akinosun ran back along the track to assist their fallen rival.
The heartbreaking scenes left the athletics world rattled.
English Gardner - is face down on the track clutching her hamstring.
Sad.. pic.twitter.com/X8eDPttXhO— george addo jnr (@addojunr) September 29, 2019
Dina Asher Smith bosses her semi-final and from the coverage it looks like the first thing she did was check the injured English Gardner is OK. What a woman #WorldAthleticsChamps #BBCathletics
— Lydia Willgress (@LydiaWillgress) September 29, 2019
Dang English Gardner, hate to see that.
— Brian (@blarkin) September 29, 2019
Wow. Feel it for English Gardner. Injury is hell. Train for months and pull up. #TVJDOHA2019 #WorldAthleticsChamps
— Dionne JacksonMiller (@djmillerJA) September 29, 2019
Oh my word, English Gardner is devastated!!!
I feel her pain. She's been battling injuries a long time and to get to the #WorldAthleticsChamps semis and be injured is unfortunate.— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo) September 29, 2019
Very very sad.
— Misophonic Spree (@MisophonicSpree) September 29, 2019
Fraser-Pryce storms to another title
Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce went on to win her record fourth women's 100m world title in stunning style.
The 32-year-old - also a two-time Olympic champion - coasted to an impressive victory in a world-leading time for the year of 10.71 seconds.
Fraser-Pryce - sporting a multi-coloured wig - punched the air in front of the Jamaican team seated in the stands before taking a national flag from them.
She collected her two-year-old son Zyon - he was born the day after the 2017 championships had finished which prevented her from defending her title in London - and paraded with him round the track passing sections that were totally devoid of spectators.
"To be standing here as world champion again after having my baby, I am elated," said Fraser-Pryce.
"The females keep showing up. We love to put on a performance and for me I am just really happy to come away with the win."
Fraser-Pryce, who announced her talent when she took Olympic gold 11 years ago in Beijing, confessed that eve of final nerves had got to her.
"I had no sleep last night. Last time I was at a major championship was in 2016 and that feeling of 'oh my God I need bed' - it was just not happening.
"For me it is just experience and knowing some days will be good but mental toughness will get me through."
with AFP
