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World of Sport

24th Aug 2015

Irish runner just avoids spectacular tumble by a rival at steeplechase waterjump

How deep is that water?

Kevin McGillicuddy

Whoops.

The World Athletics Championships has provided us with some golden moments already, and an Irish woman almost got dragged into a spectacular one on Monday morning.

Kerry O’Flaherty was in action in the heats for the women’s steeplechase when she managed to get over the waterjump.

Unfortunately for Panama runner Rolanda Bell she failed to make it, and this series of pictures highlights what a fall she took trying to get over the obstacle she probably has tackled a good few thousands times in her career.

BEIJING, CHINA - AUGUST 24: Rolanda Bell of Panama falls in the Women's 3000 metres steeplechase heats during day three of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 24, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)

It started badly

BEIJING, CHINA - AUGUST 24: Rolanda Bell of Panama falls in the Women's 3000 metres steeplechase heats during day three of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 24, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)

And it didn’t get much betterBEIJING, CHINA - AUGUST 24: Rolanda Bell of Panama falls in the Women's 3000 metres steeplechase heats during day three of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 24, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)

But at least she fell into what appears to be an Olympic-sized swimming poolBEIJING, CHINA - AUGUST 24: Rolanda Bell of Panama falls in the Women's 3000 metres steeplechase heats during day three of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 24, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)

And if that didn’t suitably entertain you then you have to see the incident in real-time when the crazy depth of the water is obvious.

She did pick herself up and finish the heat but she came home 20 seconds behind the winner in last place.

H/t Independent