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Cameraman on Segway runs over Usain Bolt after victory

'Mamma mia,' said the announcer. And he was right.

 

Josh Katzowitz

Internet Culture

Posted on Aug 27, 2015   Updated on May 28, 2021, 2:05 am CDT

Usain Bolt is the best sprinter in the world, and he proved it again at the world championships Thursday, easily winning the 200 meters gold medal, four days after triumphing in the 100 meters.

But after the race, while walking a victory lap, a cameraman riding a segway lost control of his vehicle and blindsided Bolt from behind.

Mamma mia, indeed.

https://vine.co/v/ej2LIIhMKt2

Only a few minutes earlier, Bolt had laid waste to the rest of the field, including American Justin Gatlin—who was thought to have the best hope of anybody of beating Bolt. But Gatlin lost by .01 second in the 100 and then lost by substantially more Thursday.

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Unfortunately for Bolt, he couldn’t outrun the cameraman’s sneaky attack. Fortunately for Bolt, a nasty accident that could have done major damage to his knees didn’t leave any scars.

“He took me out,” Bolt said afterward, via the New York Times. “The rumor I’m trying to start right now is that Justin Gatlin paid him off.”

Responded Gatlin: “I want my money back. He didn’t complete the job.”

Photo via Neil/Flickr (CC by 2.0)

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*First Published: Aug 27, 2015, 4:09 pm CDT