Cameraman causes havoc by impeding athletes in World Championships final
A cameraman caused mayhem as he found himself caught up in the middle of the 3000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
During perhaps the most unique race in the sport, a collision was narrowly avoided as the athletes managed to run around the cameraman who wandered onto the track.
In the early stages of the event, which is known for its obstacles, the cameraman stood in lane two with his back to the competitors.
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The surprised runners were able to evade any mishaps as they ran around him, which was made slightly easier as the cameraman stood still.
Many subsequently asked what the cameraman was doing in that position with CBC Olympics tweeting that he was filming the women’s triple jump final. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Australian sport commentator Tim Rosen posted on Twitter.
This is yet another talking point from the championships that has encountered broadcasting issues in addition to draconian disqualification rules, which denied US hurdler Devon Allen a shot at winning a medal.
After the steeplechase, competitor Evan Jager explained his thought process when he saw the cameraman, who seemed unaware a final was taking place on the track.
"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 realise we were there until we all passed him,” Jager said, per the New York Times.
Teammate Hilary Bor added: “Thank God he was in the second lane, so we tried to stay away from him. I don’t know what he was doing.” Jager, 33, who finished sixth, spent the better part of the past few years recovering from injuries and hasn’t raced much during the past year, but began to build form over the last four to six weeks.
The 2017 bronze medallist was in contention for a medal with approximately 800m metres remaining, but lost contact with the leading pack. “After I have a few hours and kind of let the emotions wear off, I’ll be very proud of myself. But pretty disappointed right now,” he added.
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali went on to claim victory, in 8 minutes and 25 seconds, approximately three-quarters of a second ahead of runner-up Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia.
Two-time defending champion Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya took the bronze. “I positioned myself well in the last lap. I am very strong in the 400 metres and it worked out for me,” the gold medallist said post-race.
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