Two moments of devastating drama have rocked the world athletics championships on a “dark day” for the Netherlands.
American track legend Michael Johnson said he has “never seen anything like it” after lightning struck twice for the Dutch team, who watched on as two gold medals were ripped from their grasp.
Two of the country’s most famed athletes, Sifan Hassan and Femke Bol, both fell metres from the line in separate events in Budapest on Sunday morning.
Both had entertained hopes of several titles in Hungary, but Hassan came to grief 20 metres from the end of the 10,000 metres to gift victory to Ethiopian rival Gudaf Tsegay.
As Tsegay crossed back over the line and embraced her, the Ethiopia-born Hassan smiled despite the realisation her dreams of an unprecedented 10,000, 5000m and 1500m treble had ended.
“I am keeping my smile but it is really hard,” said Hassan.
“I am very disappointed. This is sport, these things happen. I just had a bad moment.”
She said she “got pushed” but played down any form of protest of the result.
The heartbreak was so much worse in the 4x400m mixed relay just minutes later when Bol stumbled and fell with the line begging — having been pressured by American Alexis Holmes.
She did stagger over the line but without the all-important baton and, distraught, was consoled by her teammates. The Americans took gold in a world record of 3min 08.80sec.
Bol, like Hassan, will have to pick herself up as she is the hot favourite in the absence of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone for the 400m hurdles and will also be in the women’s 4×400 relay team.
“I do not know what happened,” said Bol.
“It has never happened to me before. I cramped towards the finish line, I was pushing, pushing, pushing.
She told the BBC: “I’m really sorry for my team. I should finish it off. I have tired legs, think I’ve had worse tired legs. It happened and it sucks big time.”
The athletics world has been absolutely stunned by the wild night of action.
American track icon Johnson said the worst part is that the Netherlands team missed out on medals altogether.
“When the lactic kicks in, all you can do is stay within yourself,” he said.
“The real detrimental thing is what we just saw in those two races. You end up out of the medals completely.”
He let his feelings be known on Twitter.
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic heptathlon champion said on BBC TV: “I’m still in shock, my heart is pounding. I can’t believe we have just seen that back-to-back”.
Athletics commentator Andrew Cotter was hurting for the Dutch.
“What a great run by the American quartet, but this is a dark day for the Netherlands,” he said.
There was also drama in the men’s shot put final but only due to the pitch-perfect display by defending champion Ryan Crouser.
The 30-year-old American, the two-time Olympic champion and world record holder, did not let down World Athletics president Sebastian Coe who had picked it as his event to savour.
Despite his preparation being affected by blood clots in his lower leg Crouser twice set a new championship record — saving the best for last as he threw 23.51 metres.
“That was a tough one,” said Crouser.
“The last few days have been hard, so it with all that has happened it was a phenomenal throw.”
— with AFP
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