Nursing a minor issue in his leg, U.S. track star Freddy Crittenden knew he might only have one chance to win a medal at the Paris Olympics -- by coming in dead last in his heat.
Crittenden chose to jog through the preliminary men's 110-meter hurdles race on August 4, finishing in a time of 18.27 seconds. The 30-year-old said he felt a minor physical issue on Saturday and was concerned that it could become a more significant injury if he pushed it. So the track star decided to throw the race.
By finishing last, Crittenden will have another chance in the repechage round, a new wrinkle added to international track and field in 2022 that gives a second chance to runners who do not immediately qualify out of their preliminary rounds.
"I had a little aggravation in my abductor yesterday for my pre-meet. I went to Team USA medical staff, medical doctors, and they said it's not an injury, but there's a lack of activation in my muscle that's causing pain and discomfort," Crittenden said . "So the plan was to come here, get through the round, and as long as I didn't get disqualified or hit any hurdles, the idea was that I could get through and get another opportunity in the repechage round. So I just wanted to get here, make sure I didn't make anything worse, and give it everything I've got on Tuesday."
Crittenden will have two days of rest before taking the track again on August 6 for another chance to qualify for the medal round.
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