Disaster Nearly Strikes Olympic Gold Medalist As Rogue Wheel Goes Flying Onto Track At U.S. Trials

Disaster nearly struck Dalilah Muhammad at the Olympic Trials on Thursday night when a rogue wheel broke off from NBC’s camera and rolled onto the track in Eugene. It could have been an absolute nightmare for the reigning gold medalist, as well as Team USA.

Fortunately, everyone was unscathed by the unusual incident.

Muhammad won a gold medal for the United States in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. She followed it up with a silver medal in Tokyo, in addition to a gold medal on the 4×400-meter relay team. Now 34 years old, the City of Lights will likely be her final opportunity to run on the biggest stage.

However, Muhammad must first secure her spot on the team!

This year’s 400m hurdles field is loaded. Rachel Glenn, who already made Team USA in the high jump and can’t wait to visit the ghetto of Paris, is hoping to represent her country in a second event. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone put the 400m flat aside to focus on the 400m hurdles and looks unstoppable.

Muhammad likely slates into the third spot, so long as an unexpected obstacle doesn’t take her out. It was far too close on Thursday!

Glenn finished first in the heat. Muhammad finished second with her season-best time of 55.51. They will both run in the semifinals and are expected to advance to the final.

Although it was a good run for the reigning silver medalist, it was almost a catastrophe.

NBC has multiple cameras that run parallel with the athletes. They follow a railing around the track.

A wheel came flying off of the camera as Muhammad and Glenn came down the final straightaway, with about 25 meters to go. It rolled right behind the latter and narrowly rolled past the former as she came running down lane five. The wheel barely bounced into lane four before Muhammad’s right leg came down in stride.