Tokyo Olympics 2021: Genevieve Gregson wheeled off track after horror steeplechase fall

Genevieve Gregson receive far from the ideal present when competing on her birthday, as she was forced from the track in a wheelchair after suffering a potential career-ending injury.

Genevieve Gregson moments after the injury.

Australia’s Genevieve Gregson has suffered a torn achilles tendon after a horrible crash at the last water jump in the 3000m steeplechase final.

Gregson was in the second half of the field when she failed to negotiate the difficult jump and crashed into the water where she lay before officials raced to her aid.

It appeared she slipped on landing and face planted onto the track where she lay for several moments before being lifted onto a wheelchair and whisked away for medical attention.

I’m heartbroken & don’t have the words right now to respond to you all but in short - ruptured Achilles on the last water jump. Happy Birthday me! Thank you for all the support & lovely messages. I’ll try to respond in time. For now I need to mend my heart, soul & Achilles. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pe59CvIwnx

— Genevieve LaCaze (@GenGen_LaCaze) August 4, 2021

A devastated Gregson leaves Olympic Stadium.

Gregson stumbles at the final hurdle. Picture: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Gregson — who was racing in her second Olympic final on her 32nd birthday — had started to fade badly over the last couple of laps and was near the tail of the field when she fell.

The Australian team later revealed that Gregson had ruptured her Achilles tendon.

Gregson wrote on social media: “I’m heartbroken & don’t have the words right now to respond to you all but in short - ruptured Achilles on the last water jump.

Happy Birthday me! Thank you for all the support & lovely messages. I’ll try to respond in time. For now I need to mend my heart, soul & Achilles.”

Athletes run past Gregson after her fall. Picture: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Gregson being wheelchaired off after her final. Picture: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Horrible news for three-time Olympian Gen Gregson after rupturing her achilles tendon in the women's 3000m steeplechase final. Our thoughts are with her and we wish her a speedy recovery. One of the great contributors to Australian athletics 💚💛#TokyoTogether#ThisIsAthleticspic.twitter.com/1UNzFczoGD

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) August 4, 2021

The gold medal was won by Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai who ran down American Courtney Frericks who started the final lap with a 10 metre lead.

Chemutai took over the lead in the back straight and then powered away to win in a national record 9min01.45sec with Frericks hanging on for silver. Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng took the bronze.

Originally published as Tokyo Olympics 2021: Genevieve Gregson wheeled off track after horror steeplechase fall