She began the race but left the course in the first few miles.
Fiona O’Keeffe, who won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, dropped out of the Olympic Marathon before reaching the 5K mark on Sunday morning.
O’Keeffe, 26, started the race at the back and quickly fell behind the other runners in the first few minutes.
Her coach, Alistar Cragg, told LetsRun’s Jonathan Gault that she was injured, but they’re unclear on the details. She reportedly had been dealing with “hip flexor tightness” that started a week ago.
Fiona O’Keeffe Drops Out of Olympic Marathon; Olympic Alternate Jess McClain Flies to Paris but May Not Compete
Earlier this week, Jess McClain, an Olympic alternate, received a call saying she might need to step in for a member of the team who couldn’t compete. She flew to Paris and arrived on August 7. However, she was later informed that it was unlikely she would be needed to race.
Fiona O’Keeffe, who was the standout runner at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February in Orlando, had a remarkable performance. This race was her first chance at the Olympics, and she impressed everyone by taking the lead in the 19th mile and finishing first with a Trials record time of 2:22:10.
O’Keeffe trains with the Puma Elite Running Team and lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She had a successful career at Stanford University, earning All-American honors six times.
It’s not unusual for athletes to start Olympic races, including marathons, even if they’re not feeling their best. The specifics of athlete shoe contracts are usually kept secret, but it’s believed that some companies offer performance bonuses for competing in the Olympics. As a result, athletes might be required to start their races to receive these bonuses and achieve their Olympic goals.
In the 2012 London Olympics, Des Linden started the marathon but dropped out after just two miles. She had been dealing with hip pain leading up to the event and used the race as a test for the 2016 Olympics, where she later finished seventh. Linden mentioned in a 2020 interview with Runner’s World that the experience was valuable, even if it was challenging. She believed that starting the race, even under tough conditions, could be an important and unique experience.
On Sunday, Australia’s Sinead Diver, 47, also dropped out of the marathon before reaching the 5K mark.
FAQs :
Who is Fiona O’Keeffe?
Fiona O’Keeffe is the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials winner who recently competed in the Olympic Marathon.
What happened to Fiona O’Keeffe during the Olympic Marathon?
Fiona O’Keeffe dropped out of the Olympic Marathon before reaching the 5K mark on Sunday morning.
Why did Fiona O’Keeffe withdraw from the marathon?
O’Keeffe withdrew due to an injury, specifically “hip flexor tightness” that had been affecting her for about a week.
Where did Fiona O’Keeffe start in the race?
She started the marathon toward the back of the pack and fell behind the leading group quickly.
Who is Jess McClain?
Jess McClain is an Olympic alternate who received a call earlier in the week about possibly stepping in for a team member but was later informed she would most likely not need to race.
When did Jess McClain arrive in Paris?
Jess McClain arrived in Paris on August 7.
What was Fiona O’Keeffe’s performance in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials?
O’Keeffe was a standout performer, winning the Trials with a time of 2:22:10, setting a new Trials record.
What team does Fiona O’Keeffe train with?
She trains with the Puma Elite Running Team and is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
What is the significance of starting Olympic races for athletes?
It’s not unusual for athletes to start Olympic races even if they’re not fully healthy, as it may be required for performance bonuses or fulfilling contract obligations.
Have there been similar cases in the past?
Yes, in 2012, Des Linden started the London Olympic marathon but dropped out after two miles due to hip pain. She used the race as a test for the 2016 Olympics, where she later finished seventh.
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