The long-distance ME runner fell to the ground meters away from the finish line.
Letesenbet Gidey lost her balance when Beatrice Chebet, coming from behind, ran past. EPA/AOP
The Cross Country World Championships held in Australia had an exciting decision when the runner leading the 10 km race fell short at the finish line.
Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, 24, was on his way to his second world title. The 10,000 and 5,000 meter world record holder in athletics led the race by a clear margin, but she didn’t have enough power for the last straight.
The Kenyan who was meters behind and made a hard finish Beatrice Chebe didn’t feel any sympathy when he passed but pinged the goal line as the winner.
– I didn’t believe in my victory, but Gidey started to slow down. I saw that my chance had come and I decided to go for it. It felt like he had no energy left. I knew he couldn’t challenge me, Chebe says, according to the website of the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Gidey, who finished fourth, was disqualified because he received help from the background people of the Ethiopian team after his fall. According to NBC, after the race, Gidey was transported in a wheelchair and doused with water. It had been hot all day at the race venue.
The Ethiopian said on his Instagram that he is fine.
– Today was a good race, with a sad ending for me. I’ll be back again, says Gidey, who won the World Championship gold in Eugene last summer.