Athlete who won 400m race despite penis falling out of his shorts set for return | Other | Sport
Chris Robinson had an uncomfortable moment during a race last year (Image: Getty Images)
A sprinter who claimed victory in a race despite suffering an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction is preparing to return to the track. American athlete Chris Robinson is among the favourites to win the 400 metres at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, which are set to begin on Thursday.
Robinson boasts a stellar track record, including gold at the indoor championships in Poland earlier this year. However, he is perhaps best known for a notorious viral moment during last summer’s Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava. The 25-year-old is an exceptionally accomplished sprinter but has found it difficult to shake what happened on that fateful day.
At the start of the race, Robinson exploded from the blocks and began to approach the leaders on the back straight. However, with a full 250 metres remaining, his private parts made a sudden and unfortunate appearance from his shorts.
Fans were left stunned as the hurdler frantically pulled at his underwear to try and fix things, all while sustaining a competitive rhythm.
Despite heavily clipping the final barrier and awkwardly readjusting his kit in the closing metres, Robinson thrust himself across the finish line to claim victory.
Afterwards, the visibly mortified athlete collapsed flat on the track, exchanging awkward glances with his fellow competitors.
The live broadcast from Metsky Stadium sent networks into a frenzy as they rushed to apologise to the millions of viewers watching at home.
Adding to Robinson’s embarrassment, television replays broadcast the mishap in high definition to audiences worldwide, including an unforgiving head-on angle of the final 50 metres.
World Athletics commentator Tim Hutchings tactfully addressed the uncomfortable situation, saying: “That’s a brilliant run by the American to be constantly adjusting certain parts of his equipment and possibly his anatomy down the home straight there around that top bend there.
The sprinter was forced to adjust his shorts after the embarrassing incident (Image: World Athletics)
“He hit that ninth hurdle hard. He was having an equipment failure there. I think that is probably the politest way to put it.
“There hasn’t been time to censor them, but well done to Chris Robinson for battling a problem that does emerge occasionally.
“Perhaps in a race every two or three years you see scenes like this from men and women with parts of their equipment failing.
“It can make it very, very awkward, but that was a stunning effort to stay out in front with all that going on.”
The viral moment ultimately proved to have an unexpected upside, with apparel brand Shinesty approaching Robinson with a modelling contract showcasing their specialist briefs.
Krakatoa Underwear also seized the opportunity, stepping in to kit out the hurdles champion with premium gear and continued support.
