Commonwealth Games officials fire back over marathon controversy

GOLD Coast officials have moved to publicly shame marathon spectators who had earlier directed a chilling accusation at officials.

THE war of words between officials and spectators involved in the distressing incident surrounding collapsed marathon runner Callum Hawkins has exploded.

Marathon greats, including world record holder Paula Radcliffe, have slammed officials on the Gold Coast for the time it took for the Scottish runner to receive aid.

However, Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters took the extraordinary step on Sunday of publicly calling out some of the spectators that stood near the distressed runner after he had fallen near the railing on a Gold Coast bridge.

One witness to the upsetting ordeal, Rodney West, who is a resident of Southport, told The Gold Coast Bulletin spectators tried to help Hawkins, only to be waved away by Hawkins himself and then by officials.

“He crawled around on the ground for two or three minutes,” Mr West said.

Mr West asked the volunteers to move their umbrella to shade the struggling athlete.

“They had to clear it with officials to move it off the bridge and over the runner,” he said.

He said he was surprised it took so long for officials to come to the aid of Hawkins considering he was leading the race.

Horrifying.

However, Peters after the race accused some of the spectators of acting outside the spirit of the Commonwealth Games by taking photos of Hawkins as he lay on the bitumen.

Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters said in a statement officials were only able to provide assistance when Hawkins eventually requested it.

He also hit out at some of the spectators on the bridge for taking photos, saying their actions were “not in the spirit” of the Games.

“I like many others was distressed to see a wonderful athlete like Callum collapse during the closing stages of today’s Marathon,” Peters said.

“We are offering every assistance possible to Callum and Team Scotland.

“I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018.

He said medical staff had been placed strategically every 500m along the marathon route and had radios to respond to medical aid requests when they were made.

The explanation for why medical assistance took so long did little to appease critics of Games officials.

World record holder Paula Radcliffe said the danger to Hawkkins’ health should never have been allowed.

Congratulations to all the runners who finished and brave running from Robbie Simpson and Kevin Seaward but big questions for LOC and medical support. That should never happen.

— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) April 15, 2018

That isn't fair. He hasn't seen what we saw and was hanging on by a thread at that point as well. Fault is with organisers, medics and some spectators not with the other athletes.

— Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) April 15, 2018

All the people taking photos/videos of Callum Hawkins while he lay on the ground obviously suffering waiting for medics, shame on you. #GC2018

— Amy Price (@amyprice21) April 15, 2018

Hawkins’ friend and middle distance runner Andrew Butchart also tweeted his dismay at why nobody helped the 25-year-old.

“Someone f***ing help him!!!” Butchart tweeted.

I’m almost crying 💔

— Andrew Butchart (@andybutchart91) April 15, 2018

Retired British track and field great Steve Cram told the BBC the response from officials was a disgrace.

“I’m just concerned for his welfare,” Cram said.

“He hit his head on the barrier. I’m sorry if you’re watching this at home, it’s really distressing. He’s going to hurt himself and there’s nobody anywhere near. We should have some more medical attention.

“This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point. Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They’ve got radios. And finally somebody arrives. I think it’s disgraceful.”