Audrey Werro suffered a dramatic fall during her 800m semi-final in Birmingham, putting her spot in Friday’s European Championships final in serious doubt. Werro, who set the fastest time for 43 years earlier this season, had been leading the first semi-final from the very start.
The Tumbling Turn and Tense Appeal
The opening semi-final was playing out exactly as expected until Werro suddenly stumbled and fell face first onto the track with just under 140m remaining on the final bend. It was a brutal moment. She got back to her feet a moment later, grimacing and clutching her chest, and finished the race in last place. Former Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford called it a “hard hit on the floor,” pointing out how incredibly unforgiving sun-baked tracks can be. There was real confusion initially, as an earlier angle appeared to show Werro clipping her own leg. Experts like Rutherford and former 1500m world champion Steve Cram both believed she had “kicked her own leg” or “tripped herself.” Werro herself was unsure, telling BBC TV, “I was feeling great but unfortunately I don’t know, something happened and then I was on the ground.” But the narrative flipped. A successful appeal with compelling footage proved France’s Anais Bourgoin hit Werro’s right foot with her left hand, making it an external impediment. Former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe emphasized that athletes *must* get up and finish the race to even have a prayer of advancing through appeal, a critical rule Werro followed despite her obvious discomfort.
Hodgkinson’s Command and the Must-Watch Final
Meanwhile, the second semi-final delivered far less drama. Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson cruised across the line first in one minute 57.38 seconds, a dominant performance. She led from the jump, confidently holding off the fast-improving Femke Broeders-Bol, a two-time world 400m hurdles champion who made the switch to this event this season. Hodgkinson heard an “ooh” from the crowd before her race and said she hoped Werro was okay, looking forward to an exciting final. And exciting it will be. The women’s 800m has quickly become *the* must-watch event of these championships precisely because of the expected three-way battle between Hodgkinson, Werro, and Broeders-Bol. “The excitement makes me excited. I can’t wait to step out there. It brings out the best in me,” Hodgkinson declared. “I love a good challenge. Hopefully it’ll be a good race, a clean race, nobody falling over.” She will be joined in the final by fellow Briton Jemma Reekie, who capitalized on Werro’s fall to win the first semi-final, and Lithuanian athlete Gabija Galvydyte, who was also clipped by Werro as she fell. With Werro’s successful appeal, Friday’s final will now feature 10 athletes instead of the usual nine.
Friday’s final is now absolutely stacked, promising an electrifying showdown. With Hodgkinson’s strong form and Werro’s dramatic return, the stage is set for an unforgettable battle for European gold, capping off a semi-final round no one will be forgetting anytime soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Leave a Reply