Picture Credit: Twitter
In the early stages of the men's 3000 meters steeplechase final, a cameraman caused havoc by unknowingly standing on the track. The incident took place on Tuesday in Eugene during the steeplechase event at the World Athletics Championships.
The cameraman, who was trying to film the women's triple jump event, stood in the second lane while having his back turned to the 15 steeplechasers running behind him. A few runners shouted at the undirected barrier, who was clueless about the racers. Fortunately for the athletes, they were able to run past him without being involved in an accident.
A 3000 meters steeplechase event includes 28 waist-high barriers and seven water pits in its course and the cameraman became the 29th hurdle for the runners.
Watch the video here:
Speaking after the race, US runner Evan Jager said, "I was a little worried that he was going to dart one way or another, right at the last second, but thankfully he didn’t realize we were there until we all passed him."
The reigning Olympic champion, Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco won the race in 8 minutes, 25.13 seconds to clinch his first world championship. He was followed by Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia and Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya in the second and the third place respectively.