The track star apologizes for the “most unsportsmanlike act in history” after celebrating the race victory instead of controlling his rival, who had to be fitted with a neck brace after being knocked unconscious in a horrific fall.
Swiss athlete Jason Joseph apologized for celebrating victory, while a rival hurdler was left unconscious with suspected head injuries at the European Indoor Championships.
Spaniard Enrique Llopis suffered a hard fall at the last hurdle and hit his head on the track with a sickening impact that forced him to receive medical attention, including a neck brace.
Lying face down on the ground, Joseph, who won the race, picked up a Swiss flag and celebrated without looking at his injured competitor.
Consequently, Joseph faced a barrage of criticism for failing to ensure that Llopis was okay, with the Spanish media calling his behavior “the most unsportsmanlike action ever”.
‘Was it appropriate to express joy and happiness while another athlete lay unconscious on the ground?’ a track fan posted on his Instagram.
Jospeh celebrates victory as his Spanish rival lies on the ground unconscious after a hard fall at the last hurdle
Joseph was quick to grab his country’s flag and smile for the photos, but he didn’t check on Llopis’ well-being at the time.
‘Seriously, you expressed everything but your selfishness. Zero empathy. You don’t deserve this victory. Victory is won with attitude and you showed absolutely zero attitude.’
Another claimed that Joseph knew his rival was hurt but celebrated anyway.
“He looked but ignored what was going on, took up the Swiss flag, posed and smiled etc. for the cameras,” she posted.
‘He didn’t give a shit about the poor guy who was unconscious after falling behind him, he only cared about glory. It really made me sick to see him celebrate that he could have gone and checked on him,” another fan posted.
Joseph has since apologized on Instagram, saying he was in competitive mode at the time of the incident.
‘The first is the first. I’m sorry I didn’t check that you were okay,” he said.
‘I was lost at the time. Totally blocked from what was around me.
‘I hope you’re well, I’ll see you at outdoor competitions.’
While Joseph received a lot of backlash, there were also others who stood up for him.
‘I’d love to see all the critics in that situation! Always easy to talk to, spread hate and assume the worst in people… Congratulations’, posted one.
‘All of you should be able to have some understanding here. It’s not right to give him so much hate now. You have to be able to understand that he just won a title that he’s wanted his whole life, which is an overwhelming moment for him. You can’t just call him a bad person now,’ added another.
Llopis was treated on the track with a white tent around him and then transferred on a stretcher to receive medical attention.
Llopis is recovering in the hospital and has been able to videotape a message to his followers letting them know that he is on the road to recovery
I feel sorry for Llopis. It was very unfortunate that he had this accident and I hope he’s okay, but you guys have so much hate for a kid who won, even though you’re sad about how sorry he was and still is, that you almost blame him for causing your athlete’s accident.’ , posted another fan.
‘I wish Llopis the best, but you must remain in your negativity. Some of you have done worse, but you come here talking about hate.
Llopis’s condition seemed to have improved, as it later appeared in a video posted on the official Twitter account of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.
In the video, he expressed his thanks to the Federation and the medical staff for their assistance, sharing that all the tests went well. He also shared his optimism towards his recovery and stated, “Now is the time to recover.”