Scottish athlete Callum Hawkins was taken to hospital after falling sharply in the leading Commonwealth games in the marathon.
A 25-year-old was only a mile from the end of the race in gold coast in Australia when he began weaving across the road and fell to the ground.
He struggled a few minutes without medical care in the sad scenes in 27C (80F) heat, and then taken to the ambulance.
Hawkins, who was in the lead with a lead of 41 seconds at the time of his fall, was adopted by Australian Michael Shelley, who won the race.
In a message posted on Twitter after the race, team Scotland said: “Callum was taken to hospital for medical examination after its collapse in the marathon as is standard procedure.”
“It is supported by the Scotland medical staff and no major problems at this stage.
“More information will be published in the prescribed manner”.
Later, the team announced that Hawkins was “sitting and talking with the father and the Scotland medical staff.”
During the event, commentator bi-Bi-si and a former athlete Steve cram said it was a ‘mess’ for so long for any paramedics to participate in the Hawkins.
“This guy is in real trouble and someone needs to recognize him for his health at the moment,” he said.
“Where on earth is help? You can’t just wait at the finish. They have radios. And finally, someone comes.
“I think it’s shameful.”
Callum Hawkins Scotland collapses as he participates in the marathon for men on the 11th day of the Commonwealth games. Photo: Getty
A former marathon Runner Paula Radcliffe said that there were “big questions” for medical response, adding: “this should not happen.
“The marathon is brutal and heartbreaking, but there’s a lot more to come from this brave champion.”
Mark Peters, Executive Director of the GOLDOC the organizers of the games promised to investigate the lack of immediate, on-course medical aid Hawkins.
“Obviously, we need to check the facts. We can’t have medics on every corner of the road,” he said.
“Of course, there is no reason for deliberate delay.”
In a statement issued later, he said, “the medical staff were placed with an interval 500mtr in the final kilometers of the course, all of which had radio.”
“In competitions, there are strict rules for receiving medical care and subsequent disqualification,” he said.
“After Callum Hawkins collapsed on the bridge, the medical staff provides treatment when necessary.”
Hawkins, who finished fourth in the world championship last year, have required his first major medal.
Going into the final quarter of the race Hawkins, who took fourth place at the world Championships last year, was set to claim his first major medal.
He was leading with a margin of 41 seconds before his fall, was deprived of his chances to win on the gold coast.
Hawkins departed from the pack and opened up a gap Munyo Solomon Mutai of Uganda, who was originally behind him in second.
He passed the halfway mark in one hour 07:44 minutes and lived up to his pre-race favourite tag to the drama.
Australia’s Michael Shelley has overtaken Hawkins, when he was on earth to back to back titles in the Commonwealth.
Teammate Hawkins of Scotland Robbie Simpson took bronze in the Mutai.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
