A runner broke his leg during an Olympic relay race and went on running to the end.
“As soon as I took the first step past the 200m mark, I felt it break.” Manteo told the USA Track and Field website.
“I didn’t want to let the three guys or the team down, so I just ran on it.”
Mitchell still managed to finish the opening lap in 46.1 seconds as the US team, also featuring Joshua Mance, Tony McQuay and Bryshon Nellum, went on to set a qualifying time of two minutes, 58.87 seconds.
“It hurt so bad,” the 25-year-old added. “I’m pretty amazed that I still split [close to] 45 seconds on a broken leg.”
USA Track and Field chief executive Max Siegel said: “Manteo has become an inspiration and a hero for his team-mates.”
That’s horribly irresponsible.
Update: I meant that what Siegel said is irresponsible, not what the runner did. I suppose once the runner had done it, onlookers kind of had to acknowledge the heroics…but still, I think it was irresponsible. You know all those kids who go back in the game after being hit on the head? Really bad idea.