Brutal scenes as runner Patrick Tiernan blows Australia away

The first athletics medal has been given out but it came after frightening scenes that turned inspirational for an Aussie star.

Patrick Tiernan gave absolutely everything for the green and gold.

The first medal on the track has been given out with Ethiopian Selemon Barega winning gold ahead of Ugandan pair Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo in the men’s 10,000m.

But there were terrifying scenes on the final lap as Aussie Patrick Tiernan fell over on the home straight before being wheeled away in a wheelchair.

Tiernan had been at the back of the leading pack for much of the race but looked ready for a late charge.

With 1000m to go, he was 9th and looking strong.

But as the leaders broke off into a sprint in the final 400m, Tiernan was left behind as the exhaustion overtook him.

He was labouring heavily as he came around the final corner with the TV cameras catching him in the background as the winner’s celebrated.

About 50m from the line, he stumbled and collapsed to the ground.

“You can see Pat, he is absolutely done and dusted. He is running on heart only here. Running on heart only,” Bruce McAvaney said in commentary.

“He has absolutely collapsed with 50m to go. He picks himself up. He is staggering here. He was there with a lap and a half to go.”

Patrick Tiernan was left sprawled on the track but still crossed the line.

Despite looking completely spent, he got up and finished the race, coming in 19th in the race.

His time of 28:35.06 was still a season-best despite the seconds he lost limping to the finish line.

But his finishing position meant little to social media as he won plenty of new fans for just getting to the line with his Olympic spirit inspiring TV viewers.

Aussie cricketer Trent Copeland tweeted: “This is everything. Right on the leading pack until last lap. Body to the brink. Aussie spirit. Pat Tiernan. We’re bloody proud.”

Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes wrote: “Absolutely gutting to see @tiernan_patrick swerve & collapse in exhaustion 9,950m into the 10k race. But how inspiring to see him get back up, drag himself across those last 50m & finish. Pure guts. Bravo mate! You’re a hero tonight.”

This was just some of the Tiernan family watching on @tiernan_patrick

We are so proud of him. He leaves EVERYTHING on the track. He will never die wondering.

He picked himself up and kept going. You are an inspiration to us all Pat!#olympicspic.twitter.com/AmFueoIMRl

— Josie Fielding (@josiefielding7) July 30, 2021

Pat Tiernan finishing the 10,000m is everything that makes me proud of Australians competing #olympics#tokyo2020#somethinginmyeye

— Simon 'Go get vaxxed' Thomsen (@SimonThomsen) July 30, 2021

Patrick Tiernan provided us with a moment that will stay with us forever

That hurt!

Hope he is ok - reports he is talking, rehydrating, and we wish him a speedy recovery @7olympics

— Jason Richardson (@JaseRicho) July 30, 2021

Pat Tiernan what an absolute beast! Gave it his all. #Tokyo2020 Aussie courage, fight and never say die attitude. Love it

— Jacob Surjan (@Surj9) July 30, 2021

In case you missed it, Patrick Tiernan of Australia collapsed in the 10,000m with about 50m to go, got up and finished anyway. Hero. That is what the Olympics is all about. #Olympics

— Kate Carter (@katehelencarter) July 30, 2021

An awe-inspiring run from @tiernan_patrick in the 10k @Tokyo2020 .. I can’t conceive how hard he pushed himself throughout that race. Clearly breaking through barriers and pushing the body to the next level. Well done! @AUSOlympicTeam

— Darren Mara (@DazzMara) July 30, 2021

Gutsy running from @tiernan_patrick in that 10k, so close to a top 10 finish before his body shut down. Somehow dragging himself across the line = true grit + determination.

— Ben St Lawrence (@bennysaint) July 30, 2021

An hour on and still in awe of Patty Tiernan. Put his feet to the fire and with the lead to the bell. How the hell he got up after collapsing in the straight has still got me buggered. What an inspiration. ❤️

— Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) July 30, 2021

Tiernan was taken from the stadium in a wheelchair.

Hamish McLachlan put it in brilliant perspective.

“Want to meet a hero? Have a look at this,” he began. “This is Patrick Tiernan. It isn’t act the victory, not the triumph, but simply taking part.

“Exhausted. Spent. Broken. Body said, “No more.” Mind said we’re going to the line. We have trained for this. We will get there. And the green and gold somehow, he found his way to the line. 19th in the 10,000m.

“Another hero, representing Australia.”

Another hero indeed.

Tiernan is supposed to participate in the 5000m on Friday as well.

He was reportedly getting medical attention and being rehydrated following the race.

It’s not the first time he has left everything out on the track, needing to be wheeled from the track in the 2018 Commonwealth Games where he wasn’t able to make it through the full 10,000m but stayed on track to congratulate the winner in that instance.

Despite suffering severe fatigue and requiring a wheelchair after a gruelling 10,000m, Patrick Tiernan waited for Toka Badboy (LES) to cross the finish line and congratulate him. Yet another display of true Australian sportsmanship during #GC2018.#GreaterTogetherpic.twitter.com/bEnzV9ZE6r

— Commonwealth Games Australia (@CommGamesAUS) April 13, 2018

If you want to know what Olympic spirit looks like — look no further than this bloke.