Golf Cart Carrying Noah Lyles Crashes, Delays 200 Meter Semifinals

Jul 16, 2023

File this under, 'Things You Never Fathomed Taking Place At A World Championship Track Meet.'

Prior to the start of the men's 200 meter semifinals at the World Championships on Thursday inside the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, two golf carts carrying semifinalists crashed outside the stadium, delaying the start of the race.

As reported by NBC's Lewis Johnson, a golf cart carrying U.S. athlete Noah Lyles t-boned another cart, which reportedly led to a volunteer being throw from the vehicle.

The second heat of the race was ultimately forced to start first, as the first heat was involved in the crash. Lyles and the rest of the athletes involved in the crash ran the final heat on Thursday.

Up to four athletes were seen by medical staff, Johnson reported, though that group did not include Lyles. The volunteer that was thrown from the vehicle was also seen by medical.

Jamaican Andrew Hudson, who was on the cart that crashed, reportedly was treated for a small fragment of glass that reached his eye.

The 200 meter semifinals resumed.

Noah Lyles, Erriyon Knight and Kenny Bednarek all advanced to the finals, with Lyles pocketing the fastest qualifier in 19.76.

The men's 200m final is set for tomorrow's evening session in Budapest.

Hudson met with print media following his semifinal, but then was whisked away for more attention according to FloTrack's Cathal Dennehy.

The World Athletics organizing committee also released a statement, saying, "the 200m semifinal reorder was due to the collision of two golf carts," adding, "one athlete and a volunteer were assessed."

The organizing committee is currently reviewing the incident.

Hudson spoke with Dennehy after the incident.

FloTrack: What happened out here?

Hudson: A bunch of glass went into my right eye. I went to medical for about 20 minutes. My eyesight is pretty blurry everytime I open my eye.

FloTrack: What was your initial reaction?

Hudson: I was trying to get the glass out of my eye. I went to back medical, the doctor said I had some shards of glass in my eye. He tried to push out as best as possible. World Athletics asked me if I was going to run or not. It was kind of run or lose my spot. I worked so hard to be here, so I thought I would at least try.

FloTrack: How hard was it to run?

Hudson: I don’t know. There was so much going on. My eye was a blur. The race was a blur. I appreciate the athletes waiting and agreeing to take our heat later on in the competition.

FloTrack: So you have to go back to the doctor now?

Hudson: I am on my way back to the doctor.

A look at the golf cart crash that occurred ahead of the 200m semifinals…..From @VMSportIE #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/qPuBDQpf05

Despite the golf cart accident ahead of the men's 200m semifinals, Noah Lyles moves on to the final in 19.76 as the top qualifier.Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton also earn the auto Q's. Tebogo, Hughes and De Grasse move on as well. #WorldAthleticsChamps📸 Getty Images pic.twitter.com/yGZvcmbm8n

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