Dutch athlete Maureen Koster was taken to the hospital after losing consciousness and suffering a “mild concussion” during the 3,000m final at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, on Sunday.
Koster, a two-time Olympian, fell after being tripped by other runners around the 1,000m point of the race. Video replays showed the 32-year-old tumbling to the ground, with her head hitting the track.
After appearing to be knocked unconscious, Koster was quickly treated by medics on-site as the race continued. She was then transported to the hospital, where the Dutch Athletics team later confirmed she was conscious and responsive.
“It still feels unreal what happened last night,” Koster wrote on Instagram Monday.
“Thankfully, aside from a mild concussion, a few bruises, and a broken heart, I’m fine. Really hope to be back on my feet soon!”
Melissa Courtney-Bryant, who went on to win the silver medal and is a former training partner of Koster, described the race as “absolute carnage” after it concluded.
“That was on another level today. I think I was being pushed from behind until about a lap to go,” she said.
“We heard the fall happen, and I’m pretty sure I heard Maureen scream. It really put everyone on edge, and people became more anxious and aggressive than usual.”
Ireland’s Sarah Healy went on to win the gold medal in the race.
Koster had previously won silver in this event at the 2015 European Indoor Championships and had placed second in her qualifying race before the incident occurred in the final this past weekend.