Hours After Being Escorted Out on a Wheelchair, Michael Norman?s Rival Suffers 400M Blunder at World Athletics Championship

American track and field prodigy Michael Norman is looking forward to the big games and set is girded up to make waves in the French capital. Hence, after a staunch performance at last year?s World Athletics Championship, Norman decided not to defend his title in Budapest. Nevertheless, the athlete has decided to work toward getting the United States gold in the 400 meters in Paris next year. However, Norman?s Bahamian track Rival participated in the World Athletics Championships of this year in order to stand victorious in his pursuit.

Steven Gardiner, whose World Championship title was snatched by Michael Norman last year, participated in the 400-meter race at the 2023 World Athletics Championship. However, the things went downhill for the sprinter as the Olympian faced a huge blunder on the tracks of Budapest and was escorted out of the event in a wheelchair.

Steven Gardiner’s loss at World Athletics Championship

Olympic champion Steven Gardiner faced a huge loss at the World Athletics Championship. The athlete who could not participate in last year?s championship in Eugene was ready to represent the Bahamas on the tracks of Budapest this year. However, with 100m to go, the athlete suffered an injury and crashed on the 400-meter track. Amid this saddening situation, the NBC Sports director of social media posted a picture of Gardiner on the track with the caption, “Heartbreak for Steven Gardiner going down with 100 m to go in his 400m semi.” In the picture, the 27-year-old athlete was seen lying on the track with a painful look.

While Gardiner, who was escorted out in a wheelchair, lost his chance of participation in finals, South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk made his way to the 400-meter final at the World Athletics Championship. Van Niekerk finished the race with a time of 44.64 and secured the third position on the podium.

While talking about Gardiner’s injury, the 31-year-old told the media, “I know that coming back from the injury is very difficult. I really want to wish him a speedy recovery.” This loss was truly a big one for Gardiner, as the Olympian could not participate in the World Athletics Championship last year as well.

Steven Gardiner faces back-to-back setbacks

After winning the 400-meter race in Doha (2019), Steven Gardiner did not defend his title in 2022. Gardiner, via an Instagram post, revealed that due to an injury, the sprinter has decided to miss the Worlds Athletics Championship held in Hayward Field.

Gardiner, who suffered from an inflamed tendon, penned down a note for his fans, “Unfortunately there will be no Eugene ?22 for me! I’m devastated by the news, but I’m thankful for all the blessings in my career so far.” And one year after recovering from the injury and ready to claim the title, unfortunately, the athlete was faced with yet another loss.

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This event truly highlights the necessity of proper care and healing of the injury before getting back on track. Hopefully, Steven Gardiner will soon recover from the injury. As his fans wait for him to win back his title at the next World Athletics Championship.

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