Who knew race walking could be so intense?
Russia’s Valeriy Borchin learned Sunday just how wild the novelty sport of race walking can be. Borchin collapsed and lost consciousness with two kilometers to go in a 20-kilometer race, providing fans with a crazy, scary sight.
Borchin, the defending Olympic champion, was in fourth place at the time of his collapse, and he had to be taken away on a stretcher by the event’s medical staff. The former champ all of a sudden stumbled to the right and fell into a barricade, laying motionless before being tended to.
The incident is insane in a number of ways, especially to the casual race walking fan. The fact that race walking is an actual Olympic sport is hard to fathom, and the idea of someone getting injured during a race makes even less sense.
With that said, hopefully Borchin will be all right. As unfortunate as his accident is, though, he at least shed some light on his sport, showing just how physical it can be.
Photo of the Day
Don’t look now, but Carl Crawford is starting to get it going.
Quote of the Day
A lot of people doubted me. A lot of people said I wasn’t going to win. I wanted to show the world that I’m still No. 1, that I’m still the best. I show up on the day.
–Usain Bolt, after winning 100-meter gold
Tweet of the Day
You’ll hear no complaints out of me.
@nesn great idea, Lombardi / Belichick trophy
— Seth Jones (@ydragoh) August 6, 2012
Video of the Day
Who needs two arms when you can dish out knees like that?
