Noah Lyles would have run in the first semi-final heat of 200 meters.
But a bus crash outside the arena, involving several runners, took the spotlight.
– I am very upset that it happened. It’s a very stupid mistake, says Andrew Hudson, who got shards of glass in his eye during the accident.
Noah Lyles has already won gold in the 100 meters. But even in the 200 meters, the American is the favorite to take home the gold. Thus, Thursday night’s semi-final was a mere formality, but it was to be more dramatic than first feared.
Films spread on social media show when two smaller buses collide on the road between the warm-up arena and the competition arena, where the competitions take place.
Several of the runners who would run in the first semi-final, including Noah Lyles, were on the buses as passengers. The Jamaican Andrew Hudson was also among the passengers and according to the Daily Mail the Jamaican is seen covering one of his eyes after the crash.
In one of the videos that is spreading on social media, an official can also be seen falling out of his vehicle.
Had to reschedule
The collision forced the organizers to change the schedule and the first heat was placed last in the order.
But after the reversal in the schedule, the race could finally start, with all participants. There, Noah Lyles showed that he was not particularly affected by the charging when he ran in as the heat winner. Something that makes him ready for Friday’s final, which starts at 21:50.
Awarded a free place in the final
Hudson, on the other hand, missed the final on sporting grounds, but was awarded a place in the final following the incident and afterwards it was a visibly irritated Hudson who faced the media.
– The vehicle came and hit us from the side, I still have glass on my backpack, I went to the doctors and they tried to push out as much shards as possible, I sat there for about 15 minutes and they let me choose if I wanted to run or not , but I chose to run, Hudson explained to TV4 and continued:
– I am very upset that it happened. It’s a very stupid mistake, both vehicles crashing into each other. I just happened to be sitting on the outside, but the windshield was right next to me.
Hudson, who confirms that he got glass in his eye and was affected during the races, also explained the state of the injury.
– I went to the doctor and he saw glass in my eye and tried to poke it out. Luckily the others agreed to run the first heat, last, to give me some time. But there wasn’t much I could do, Hudson summed up.
TV4 expert Carolina Klüft was also noticeably annoyed after the incident.
– This must not happen, she says.
Stream the Athletics World Championships on TV4 Play
TV4 broadcasts from the Athletics World Championships in Budapest 2023 between 19 and 27 August with several Swedish medal hopefuls and international world stars.