‘Never seen anything like this’: Absurdity rocks world athletics championships

A moment of heartbreaking drama has rocked the world athletics championships. Track legend Michael Johnson has “never seen anything like it”.

USA's Alexis Holmes runs past Netherlands' Femke Bol who fell before the finish line in the mixed 4x400m relay final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 19, 2023. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

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.

Sifan Hassan of Team Netherlands was so close. Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images for World Athletics.

Netherlands' Sifan Hassan went down hard. Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP.

“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 4x400 relay team.

“I do not know what happened,” said Bol.

USA's Alexis Holmes runs past Netherlands' Femke Bol. Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

The baton bounced out of Femke Bol’s hand. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The side-on angle of the disaster. Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP.

Femke Bol appeared to hit her head in the fall. Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Femke Bol watched on as America finished the race. Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Femke Bol was inconsolable. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

Femke Bol’s face said it all. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

“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.

Never seen anything like this in all my years in this sport! Two Dutch athletes fall 5 meters from winning gold. One immediately after the other! Crazy! https://t.co/K1aXbe9f7i

— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) August 19, 2023

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