AMERICAN sprinter Noah Lyles was involved in a golf buggy crash before his semi-final tonight at the World Athletics Championships in Hungary.
Lyles, 26, was one of eight runners being transported by a driver from the training track to the call room inside the National Athletics Centres in Budapest.
As the athletes approached the stadium, heading towards an entrance situated next to the Danube river, another cart violently smashed at speed into the side of their vehicle.
The driver who caused the crash – believed to be one of the event volunteers – was catapulted out of his seat and on to the ground.
As a result of the incident, shards of glass managed to get into the right eye of Jamaican sprinter Andrew Hudson.
Hudson, 26, said: “I don’t know what happened, it’s a blur. The race was a blur, my eyesight is a blur. I am going to make sure my eyesight is okay.
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“I’m just trying to get glass out of my eye. I went back to the medical (room) and the doctor said I had some shards of glass in my eye.
“He tried to flush it out as best as possible. World Athletics asked me if I was going to run or not. It was kind of run or lose my spot. And I’ve worked too hard to be here. That’s why I tried.
“I appreciate the athletes (who were) waiting agreeing to take the heat later on in the competition. “
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Hudson finished fifth in heat one in a time of 20.38 seconds, a mark that was not good enough to qualify directly for Friday’s final.
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But after a protest from Team Jamaica, he was allowed to progress via a discretionary spot to the showpiece occasion, which was extended by officials from eight competitors to nine.
A World Athletics statement read: “The 200m heats reorder was due to the collision of two golf carts.
“One athlete and a volunteer were assessed and the athlete cleared to participate. He competed in the last heat. The volunteer is also fine. The Local Organising Committee is investigating the incident and reviewing the transport procedures.”
Lyles, the defending 200 metres world champion, is looking to complete the sprint double in the Hungarian capital after he won gold in the men’s 100 metres last Sunday.
The Florida-born star later tweeted: “Survived a crash and made the Finals. God is Good!”
Gabby Logan announced the news live on BBC Sport, with incredible footage caught on camera.
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
