Runner collapses begging for water

THE epitome of Olympic grit and determination was on full display last night as Jessica Judd completed the 10,000 metres final in 90-degree heat before collapsing from exhaustion.

The British runner was left begging for water after finishing 17th – in a time just under 32 minutes – amid stifling humidity which had left four athletes unable to finish.

The 26-year-old spent several minutes gasping for water before her team-mate Eilish McColgan – who came ninth and is the daughter of former British world champion Liz – brought her a bottle. The race was won by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands who was unable to celebrate her victory as she crawled on her hands and knees pleading for water, with officials too slow to get liquids to the finishers.

Despite the race starting at 7.45pm local time, temperatures in Tokyo were well above 90F (32C), with 80 per cent humidity.

After she had been checked over by medics, Ms Judd said: ‘That is the closest I’ve come to not finishing.

‘When it gets to you, it gets to you. I was desperate for water. I’ve never been this sweaty in my life.’