The Athlete Who Lost the Medal Just 5m Before the Finish... His 'Oops' Expression

by Kim Eunha

Published 08 Jun.2024 18:47(KST)

Updated 15 Jul.2024 15:15(KST)

"I Wanted to Win a Medal for My Homeland Ukraine at War"

In the women's 20km race walk final at the European Athletics Championships, a competitor lost her medal after celebrating too early. As the video circulated on online communities, netizens responded by saying, "This is the result of raising the toast too early," while also noting, "It must have been a source of strength for Ukraine, which is at war."

[Photo by European Athletics Association, screenshot from X]

According to Yonhap News, Garcia-Caro finished 4th with a time of 1 hour 28 minutes 48 seconds in the women's 20km race walk final held on the 8th (Korean time) in Rome, Italy, at the 2024 European Championships. Combining reports and footage, Aura Garcia-Caro (29, Spain) began her celebration about 10 meters before the finish line.

Coming in 3rd, she draped the Spanish flag around her neck and swung her fist in the air. However, a look of dismay crossed her face. About 5 meters from the finish, Ukraine's Liudmyla Olianovska (31) started to catch up.

Garcia noticed Olianovska passing on her right side and was startled, increasing her speed, but there was no time to recover. The British Guardian described it as "fear even appearing on Garcia-Caro's face." In an interview with Spanish media, Garcia-Caro said, "I am really disappointed. I was confident I would win the bronze medal, but the outcome was different," adding, "I need mental recovery."

[Photo by European Athletics Association, screenshot from X]

Olianovska told the event organizers, "I really wanted to win a medal for my homeland Ukraine, which is still at war. That’s why I pushed myself until the very end of the race." She added, "My 5-year-old son is waiting for me in Ukraine. I don’t know if he saw me win the medal. Ukraine’s infrastructure is completely destroyed, so it’s difficult to use the internet or electricity," which moved many to solemn reflection.

The 1st and 2nd places in the race were taken by Italy’s Antonella Palmisano and Valentina Trapletti, respectively.

Meanwhile, netizens commented, "It must have been a source of strength for the suffering Ukraine," and "You shouldn’t celebrate too early. It’s not over until it’s over."