Lost medal, gained respect: French athlete Yohann Diniz poops, collapses yet finishes race

Yohann Diniz, the French athlete came seventh in the 50-kilometers racewalk at the Rio Olympics after he collapsed on field due to severe stomach pain but never gave up.

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Yohann Diniz, of France, splashes water onto his head during the men’s 50-km race walk at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday. (Source: AP)

Walking a marathon is never easy. And if it’s a 50-kilometer stretch, you can imagine the plight and stamina required. In Olympics, we talk about achievements and success, but this year we saw numerous occasions where sportsmen spirit won hearts more than the medals. Remember, how American runner Abbey D’agnostino stopped midway while racing to help her fellow runner Nikkie Hamblin of New Zealand? Yes, that’s the real spirit of the Olympics of valour and resilience.

Rio Olympics on Friday witnessed such an extraordinary valour when French record holder Yohann Diniz collapsed during the 50-kilometers racewalk after complaining of severe stomach pain. Footages of the race reveal that Diniz was leading when the race had started, however, as his health deteriorated in the summer heat he stopped quite a few times before hitting the ground.

Record holder at 50 kilometer walk Yohann Diniz was initially leading the race. (Source: Reuters)

Viewers and spectators have claimed that the sportsman had soiled himself when they spotted liquid running down his legs while others also said that he may have suffered an accident as they thought they saw blood.

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According to a report by AP, “the high school sports coach was stricken by stomach problems, even keeling over at one point in the heat and scorching sun before continuing, his legs wobbling like cooked spaghetti at times.”

Medical help was provided to him, after he collapsed while some believed that the athlete had fainted. Videos show him gasping for breath but after sometime, like a true sportsman he splashed some water and started his race again. Despite all odds, Diniz finished the race at seventh position.

Though initially there were some trolling on social media, later the world saluted his vigour and applauded him for continuing the race.

This is how people on Twitter reacted to his collapse and finish the race:

Fellow athletes criticised people for ridiculing Diniz

Amused the way some people feel qualified to poke humour from the comfort of a keyboard at the difficulties Yohann Diniz had during mens 50k

— Colin Griffin (@colingriffin) August 19, 2016

People saluted his spirit

How about instead of laughing at #YohannDiniz and making poop jokes, we praise him for not giving up despite clearly being ill. #Olympics

— Jordan K. Turgeon (@jordanturgeon) August 19, 2016

Some said, “too much” Olympics spirit

Yohann Diniz may represent a case of “too much” Olympic spirit: race walking until he was bleeding profusely! #Rio2016

— Christian DeFeo (@doctorcdf) August 19, 2016

Others had nothing but respect for his strenghth

Much respect to France’s Yohann #Diniz after a very difficult race walk at the #Olympics – stomach woes, collapse, still finishes 7th!

— Fran Blandy (@franblandy) August 19, 2016

Some argued him to be the flag bearer

Yohann Diniz of France deserves to hold the flag at the next opening ceremony. Dude is a champ. #racewalk #RioOlympics2016

— adrienne____elise (@Sheeg_) August 19, 2016

For some he was an instant Hero and inspiration

Yohann Diniz has quickly become my favourite athlete of the Olympics… incredible ammount of bravery and passion

— kit messinger (@kit_messinger) August 19, 2016

Diniz certainly finished the race like a true champion.

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