Laotian Olympic sprinter finishes race, turns back to help opponent who collapsed during women’s 100 prelim

Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address.

By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.

The spirit of the Olympics was on full display during the first day of the track and field events in Paris Friday. 

Laotian sprinter Silinia Pha Aphay and Lucia Moris of South Sudan were side by side in the first heat of the women’s 100-meter prelim, competing for a top three spot to advance to the first round. 

Lucia Moris of South Sudan lies injured during the women's 100-meter preliminary round on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris.  (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

According to The Washington Post, Pha Aphay noticed around the halfway mark that Moris, who was in the lane next to her, had gone down. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pha Aphay crossed the finish line with a season best of 12.45 seconds, but it wasn’t enough to crack the top three. 

But that didn’t matter. 

Pha Aphay turned back to check on Moris, who appeared to be grabbing her right leg while shouting in pain. Pha Aphay ran over and called out for medics, who eventually rushed to Moris' side before carrying her off the purple track on a stretcher. 

Lucia Moris of South Sudan lies injured as Silina Pha Aphay of the Lao People's Democratic Republic checks her condition during the women's 100-meter preliminary round on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris.  (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

USA 4X400M MIXED RELAY TEAM SETS WORLD RECORD ON FIRST DAY OF TRACK AND FIELD AT OLYMPICS

"We are athletes," Pha Aphay said, via The Post. "We are 100 meters — the same. All 100 meters athletes have to know how being hurt feels. And this is a big competition. It’s a big dream to come here. But you get hurt here. So, everybody knows the feeling." 

Pha Aphay speculated Moris may have injured her hamstring. 

"I can only share her pain," she continued.  

Lucia Moris of South Sudan is carried off the track by medical staff during the women's 100-meter preliminary round on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris.  (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In the first round, American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, who is making her Olympic debut, won with a time of 10.94 seconds to move on to the semifinal Saturday. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. 

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.