TRUMAN KO BLOW ENDS MEDAL HOPE
JOE TRUMAN suffered a suspected broken collarbone after being wiped out in a terrifying 45mph smash.
England sprinter Truman was knocked unconscious and needed oxygen at the Birmingham velodrome track before being taken out in a wheelchair.
The hushed 3,000 crowd, who had held their breath as medical staff crowded round, burst into applause when he finally regained consciousness and sat up.
Aussie Matthew Glaetzer, whose skinsuit was ripped to shreds, also fell heavily – but he was not to blame for the smash.
BBC pundit Sir Chris Hoy, who won six Olympic golds at high speed, said: “You’re racing as close as you can to the riders around you. Matt Glaetzer got boxed and went into the back of Jack Carlin and fell to the right, and Joe Truman had nowhere to go.
“Your heart rate is at maximum and adrenalin is flowing. It is a rare thing to have such a serious crash in the velodrome than on the road when you are training.
“It is just one of those things you have to deal with and it reminds us how tough these guys are and how brave you have to be.”
Truman, from Petersfield, was able to text his family from his wheelchair to let them know he was not as seriously injured as the live pictures initially suggested.
Glaetzer, who won Commonwealth gold at both Glasgow in 2014 and on the Gold Coast four years later, looked distraught.
Scotland’s Jack Carlin, who went on to win keirin silver behind gold medallist Nicholas Paul, said: “It’s not easy seeing your pal on the ground like that.
“Joe’s had a few issues during his career – but he’s very strong-willed and he’s always come back stronger.”
Elsewhere, organisers have apologised to Sophie Unwin over her “ghost” bronze – but still fined her £172 for a playful protest.
The 28-year-old was left in tears after she and pilot Georgia Holt beat Libby Clegg and Jenny Holl in the women’s tandem B sprint on Friday, only to find out they would not be awarded medals due to new rules.