The terrifying moment medics rushed to help French athlete Alessia Zarbo who collapsed during the Olympic 10,000m final – and the race went on around her

This is the horrifying moment emergency services rush to French runner Alessia Zarbo’s aid after she collapses during a race Olympic Games‘10,000m final.

With a few laps remaining at the Stade de France, one of the home favourites went down on the main straight and the race continued on an adjacent track.

As the camera followed the leading group around the bend, TV viewers saw paramedics urgently attending to the runner while others assisted her on a stretcher.

French newspaper RMC Sport reported that Zabo “felt better and was recovering” after the race. She did not give any post-race interviews. Another runner, Rahel Daniel of Eretria, withdrew from the race after briefly leading in the early stages of the 10,000m race.

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the Olympic women’s 10,000m gold medal in 30 minutes 43.25 seconds on Friday, adding another 5,000m gold medal to her tally at this Olympics.

Alessia Zarbo is treated by medical staff on the track, Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi leads the team

Alessia Zarbo of France receives treatment during the women’s 10,000m race

Zabo falls during the women’s 10,000m race at the 2024 Summer Olympics

The fallen Zago is only one track away from the leader Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi

Italian athlete Nadia Bartocleti won the silver medal in 30:43.35, and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands came in third in 30:44.12.

World record holder Chebet played an important role in the early stages of the race. When the peloton began to sprint with one lap left, she overtook her opponents at the last corner to win Kenya’s first gold medal in the event.

It is not yet clear whether Zabo and Daniel were infected with the coronavirus that was prevalent in the Olympic Village.

Noah Lyles won a bronze medal despite contracting the virus in front of tens of thousands of spectators, and dozens of other athletes competing in the event tested positive. But organizers issued only health advisories, no restrictions, allowing athletes to compete if they were willing and able.

This is similar to Tokyo Olympics In 2021, due to the global pandemic, the Winter Olympics had to be postponed for a year and held under strict COVID-19 restrictions – no spectators were allowed to enter any event. Six months later, the Beijing Winter Olympics even Tighter protocols Because China Zero Tolerance Policy.

In Paris, the Olympics were reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. The French reverted to the double-cheek hug as a greeting, “la bise.” Fans joyfully reached out to pat athletes’ hands at the venues. Masks were rarely seen in the crowds of supporters, and people from around the world were allowed to travel to France without proof of vaccination or a negative test for the virus.

The World Health Organization said earlier this week that at least 40 athletes at the Olympics had tested positive for the virus as confirmed cases continued to grow worldwide.

Lyles was wheeled off the track in a wheelchair after finishing third in the 200 meters Thursday night. He later said he tested positive for COVID two days earlier.