French race walker Yohann Diniz has had better days.
Diniz is an accomplished race walker, holding the current world-record for the 50 km race. In the Olympics, however, he’s had a lot of issues that have complicated his quest for gold. In 2008, he was forced to withdraw from the 50 km walking race due to pain in the stomach and thigh. In 2012, he was disqualified after finishing eighth because he had taken water from a restricted area (yes). Now in 2016, Diniz had high hopes to finally win this race and unfortunately he ran into some trouble once more.
The first sign of trouble came when viewers noticed a brown liquid substance (you know what) running down the lack of Diniz’s legs during the race. He had apparently suffered stomach problems before the race but refused to pull out. Instead, he shoved some wet sponges down the back of his shorts and powered through.
did the leader in the race walk shit himself? pic.twitter.com/aNc6lx4hJn
— nick (@nick_pants) August 19, 2016
33 km into the race, Diniz stopped to rub his thighs and then right before the 38 km mark he collapsed to the ground. It appeared that his day was done.
Race walker Yohann Diniz of #FRA collapsed, but heroically managed to finish the race. https://t.co/5qbXjgsAm1 https://t.co/IaHfnK0AH1
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 19, 2016
Somehow, Diniz gathered himself and continued the race, eventually finishing six minutes behind winner Matej Toth in eighth place with a time of 3:46.43. Canadian Evan Dunfee, who finished fourth after a double appeal, shared a moment of support earlier in the race when he caught up and passed Diniz.
L'une des plus belles images des Jeux! Olympic spirit at its best ; #Dunfee supporting #Diniz during 50km #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/l2mb70KFHt
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 19, 2016
Knowing what he’s been though in past Olympics and how important it must have been for him, it’s a testament to just how much Diniz was willing to persevere in order to finish the race. Not stomach issues. Not cramping thighs. Not even passing out.
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[Mirror]
