Hawkins left without medical attention for minutes after collapsing in marathon

  • Callum Hawkins recovering in hospital after he collapsed in 28-degree heat
  • Scotland runner fell barely a mile from the end while leading by almost two mins
  • Live television footage showed him trying and failing repeatedly to get to feet
  • It took a couple of minutes before a medic reached the Scot during 26-mile race

Gold Coast 2018 organisers came under heavy criticism on Sunday after Callum Hawkins was left collapsed on the road without medical attention for several minutes during the marathon.

Hawkins is recovering in hospital after distressing scenes in which he fell from exhaustion in 28-degree temperatures barely a mile from the end of the 26-mile race while leading by almost two minutes.

Live television footage showed him trying and failing repeatedly to get to his feet and at one point appeared to bang his head on a barrier. It took a couple of minutes before a medic reached the Scot, who initially refused help for fear of disqualification.

Callum Hawkins was left collapsed on the road without medical attention during the marathon

Hawkins is recovering in hospital after distressing scenes in which he fell from exhaustion

Hawkins is recovering in hospital after distressing scenes in which he fell from exhaustion

A Scottish Athletics statement said Hawkins, 25, was ‘sitting up and speaking with his dad’ after being taken to hospital, but the scenario prompted questions from Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe about the treatment provisions on the course.

Women’s marathon record holder Radcliffe tweeted: ‘Medics were shockingly slow to get there and then slow to act when they did. The athlete will always want to finish but isn’t able to think rationally at that point.’ 

Cram was scathing in commentary, saying: ‘I’m just concerned for his welfare. He hit his head on the barrier. I’m sorry if you’re watching this at home, it’s really distressing. He’s going to hurt himself and there’s nobody anywhere near.

‘We should have some more medical attention. This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point.

Hawkins collapsed barely a mile from the end while leading by almost two minutes on Sunday

Hawkins collapsed barely a mile from the end while leading by almost two minutes on Sunday

 A Scottish Athletics statement said Hawkins, 25, was 'sitting up and speaking with his dad'

 A Scottish Athletics statement said Hawkins, 25, was ‘sitting up and speaking with his dad’

‘Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They’ve got radios. And finally somebody arrives. I think it’s disgraceful.’ 

A Team Scotland statement said: ‘Callum has been taken to hospital for medical review follow his collapse as is standard procedure. We are pleased to report he is sitting up and speaking with his dad and Team Scotland medical staff.

‘He is undergoing further tests as a precaution and we all wish him a speedy recovery.’ 

Paula Radcliffe tweeted about the treatment provisions on the course following the incident

Paula Radcliffe tweeted about the treatment provisions on the course following the incident

Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters said: ‘We need to check the facts out. You can’t have medical people on every kilometre of the road.

‘They are professionally positioned as they are for our Gold Coast marathon when we have 30,000 people running. Obviously the health of the athlete is absolute prime.

‘Sometimes medical people arrive and athletes have to make a decision whether they want to go on or not and I understand that was part of the discussion.’ 

Australia’s Mike Shelley won the race in two hours, 16 minutes, 46 seconds – defending the title he won in Glasgow in 2014.

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