Usain Bolt Toppled By Segway-Riding Cameraman Song Tao During Victory Lap

Usain Bolt was knocked over onto the track after winning the 200m sprint at the World Athletics Championships in China when a cameraman driving a Segway ran into him.

Usain Bolt Toppled Cameraman Song Tao

When the cameraman ran into bolt, the Jamaican runner fell backwards and then did a backward roll before jumping back up again. After taking a moment to check out his ankle, Bolt continued his victory lap, celebrating his latest medal-winning run with fans.

Bolt had no hard feelings against cameraman Song Tao. “Accidents happen,” Bolt told reporters. “I have a few cuts but it is nothing that I have never done to myself in training. I will be all right.”

Bolt also joked that perhaps American sprinter Justin Gatlin had paid the cameraman off to injure him. “He took me out,” Bolt told The New York Times. “The rumor I’m trying to start now is that Justin Gatlin paid him off.”

As for Tao, who works for broadcaster CCTV, he’s getting back to work now that he knows Bolt escaped without any serious injuries.

“The important thing is that he is ok,” Tao told The Guardian through a translator. “I’m fine and ready to get back to work.”

At the medal ceremony Friday, Tao again apologized for the unfortunate incident and presented Bolt with a friendship bracelet, which Bolt graciously accepted.